Spread over an area of 141 sq. kms. this scenic Dachigam valley is heaven on earth full of natural beauty with its surrounding mountainside contains the rare Kashmir stag (Hangul), also black and brown bears. If you are adventurous enough to try trekking then the upper reaches are a perfect setting for camping hideout. Musk deers can be seen in this forest, a small species widely hunted for the male''''s musk gland, consider valuable in treating importance and a major export to Europe''''s perfumeries. The two sectors of the Dachigam Wildlife Sanctuary - Upper and Lower Dachigam are spread over an area of 141 sq. km. and altitudes vary between 1,700 and 4,300 metres. Two steep ridges enclose the Park with its great topographical variety - deep ravines, rocky outcrops, steep wooded slopes and rolling alpine pastures. Tumbling down from the Masrar Lake (4,300m), up in the high ranges, the Dachigam River winds through Lower Dachigam. A metallic road takes visitors from Srinagar into Lower Dachigam. Upper Dachigam can only be explored on foot.
Best Time to Visit
The region remains cold throughout the year. The summer season (from May to August) is cool and very pleasant with temperatures ranging from 8°C to 14°C; however, winters (September and December) are particularly harsh when the temperature drops to a range of -2 to 4°C.
Attractions
Apart from its unspoiled natural beauty, its most important wildlife remains the hangul (Kashmiri stag), an endangered species of red deer. Despite its substantial harshness, the winter season is the best time to view the hangul, when it gathers in the shelter of the lower valleys. The leopard, which is the only predatory animal in the area, has been rarely spotted. It is the same with the hard-to-pin-down snow leopard found in the higher altitudes. However, tourists with resilience, patience and a little luck have had the fortune of seeing these unique wild cats. Apart from the hangul and the two varieties of leopards, various other species like Himalayan black bear, musk deer, Himalayan marmot and species of wild goats like the makhor are found at Dachigam. Various exotic Himalayan birds, colorful pheasants like the crimson tagopan, monal pheasant, blood pheasant and koklass pheasant, golden eagles and bearded vultures (lammergeier) are also seen encircling the beautiful blue skies above Dachigam forest.
How to Get There
Air : The nearest town and airport is Srinagar 22-km away.
Rail : It is 310-km from Jammu, the nearest railway station.
Road : A metalled road links Srinagar with Lower Dachigam. Upper Dachigam can be reached on foot.
