Dachigam National Park

Dachigam National Park is located about 22 kilometers from Srinagar in Jammu and Kashmir, covering around 141 square kilometers. Established as a protected area in 1910 and declared a national park in 1981, it was originally created to ensure a clean drinking water supply for Srinagar.

Situated in the Zabarwan Range of the western Himalayas, the park features diverse terrain ranging from grasslands to rocky cliffs with altitudes between 1,600 and 4,200 meters. It is renowned as the last refuge of the endangered Kashmir stag, also called the hangul, and houses other wildlife like leopards, Himalayan black bears, musk deer, and more than 150 bird species, making it a biodiversity hotspot and a prime destination for nature lovers and bird watchers.

The park also includes Marsar Lake, a high-altitude alpine lake famous for its pristine beauty. Visitors can enjoy activities like jeep safaris, trekking, and birdwatching, with the best visiting season from April to August. Entry requires a permit from the local wildlife authorities to protect its fragile ecosystem.