Tourism geography and resources of India

Submitted by: Chetna Handa

Akanksha Raina

Submitted to: Miss Nikita Dogra

DACHIGAMNATIONAL PARK

What is a National park???

•A national park is park in use for naturalpurposes. It is a reserve for natural, semi-natural or developed land.

•An area of countryside or occasionally sea orfresh water, protected by the state for theenjoyment of the general public or thepreservation of wildlife.

History

•The area currently under Dachigam National Park was delineatedby Maharaja of Jammu and Kashmir in 1910 as a game preserve. Tenvillages located inside the forest limits, were shifted out.

•Besides the desire to have a game preserve to hunt along with hisguests, the Maharaja also wanted to develop the forest into acatchment zone for Harwan reservoir which supplied water toSrinagar.

•Under orders of the Maharaja, several tree species, especiallythose preferred by wildlife were planted and efforts were made toincrease the winter fodder available to wild animals.

•After Jammu and Kashmir acceded to India, Dachigam wasmanaged by State Forest Department. Jammu and Kashmirgovernment notified the area as a sanctuary in 1951 and as nationalpark in 1981.

More about DNP

Location: 22-km From Srinagar, Kashmir Region, J&K.Area: : 141-sq-kms.Attractions: Kashmir Stag, Himalayan Black Bear, Markhor, Ibex, Exotic Birds.

Dachigam was declared as a sanctuary by state order no.276/C in 1951 (Holloway, 1970; Holloway and Wani,1970).

Dachigam Wildlife sanctuary was upgraded to NationalPark on 4 February 1981 (state order no. FST/20) by theGovernment of jammu and kashmir.

Bird Viewing - March To May.

Topography

Dachigam National park is located in the ZabarwanRange of the western Himalayas. The variation inaltitude is vast, ranging from 5500 ft to 14000 ft abovemean sea level. Due to this vast variation, the park isvery clearly demarcated into an uneven region. Theterrain ranges from gently sloping grasslands to sharprocky outcrops and cliffs. Part of the park lies abovethe tree line and this area displays its own kind ofnatural beauty with bare rock mountains and crevices.

Two Sectors

The two sectors of the Park - Upper and LowerDachigam are spread over an area of 141-sq-km. andaltitudes vary between 1,700 and 4,300 metres. Twosteep ridges enclose the Park with its greattopographical variety - deep ravines, rocky outcrops,steep wooded slopes and rolling alpine pastures.Tumbling down from the Masrar Lake (4,300m), up inthe high ranges, the Dachigam River winds throughLower Dachigam.

Accessibility

Air : Srinagar Airport is located at a distance of 22km and hence is a good access point.

Rail :The nearest rail junction is Jammu at a distance of 200 kms away from Dachigam National Park.

Road :The Lower Dachigam region is accessible via a metaled road, but Higher Dachigam areas are accessible only on foot.

Climate

It experiences moderate temperature all through the year.Summer is never scroching and snowfall continues forentire winter season. Summer in DACHIGAM is guest oflimited days. Temperature starts getting warmer fromApril onwards and extends upto June. July and Augustexperience light showers.

Best time to visit

•In winter, minimum temperature plunges to 10 degree Celsius, insummer maximum temperature hovers around 32 degree Celsius.Each season leaves its distinct mark on Dachigam. October is thebest time to visit to see the trees in their autumnal best.

•May and August is the best time to visit the upper regions whichremains snow-bound in winter. May-August and September-December is the best time to visit the lower region.

Where To Eat

Eating options are non-existent in the forest or inits vicinity.

Carrying a lunch hamper would be a good idea.

Srinagar has better eating options.( KASHMIRIWAZWAN.)

Fauna

The Park is the habitat of the endangered Hangul or the Kashmir stag - the only species of red Deer to be found in India. Winter is the best time to view the Hangul, when they congregate in the shelter of the lower valleys. Other inhabitants include the Himalayan Black Bear, species of wild Goat like the Markhor and Ibex and varieties of exotic Himalayan birds.

The leopard, which is the only predator in this paradise, is rarely seen as also the elusive snow leopard, which is found in the higher altitudes. Other animals include the rare musk deer and the Himalayan marmot. Himalayan Serow ,Himalayan Grey Langur, Himalayan Brown Bear,Jackal Hill Fox ,Himalayan Weasel, Yellow-throated Marten, Jungle Cat,, Otter are other animals found here.

HANGULH

IMA

LYA

N B

EAR

MARKHOR

IBEX

MUSK DEER

MARMOT

FAUNA

Avi fauna

With onset of every new season, the bird life of thepark also changes. Among the major birds here,some of these are : Cinnamon Sparrows, BlackBulbuls, Himalayan Flycatcher, Lammergeier, Blackand Yellow Grosbeaks and Himalayan Rubythroats

CINNAMON SPARROW

BLACK BULBUL

GOLDEN ORIOLE

WOODPECKER

WAGTAIL

HIMALYAN RUBY THROAT

KASHMIR FLYCATCHER

BIRDS

Flora

The mountainsides below the tree line are heavily wooded.Most of this coniferous forest consists of broad leaf species.Interspersed between these are alpine pastures, meadows,waterfalls and scrub vegetation with deep gullies, locallyknown as Nars, running down the mountain face. Most ofthe grasslands and meadows, except in the harsh winters,are covered with brightly coloured flowers. Located highamong its interiors is the Marsar lake from which flows theDagwan river. This river flows all the way down to, and past,the lower region where it runs along the only proper road inthe park and is also famous for its fish population.

ALPINE PASTURES

DEEP GULLIES

MEDOWS

NARS DACHIGAM NATIONAL PARK

FLORA

Safaris in Dachigam National Park (jeep and elephant safaris)

Since this park is located in scenic surroundings of Kashmir,it comes as a privilege to enjoy a mix of flora, fauna andnatural beauty through jeep and elephant safaris atDachigam. Jeep safaris are undertaken during the earlymorning hours till evening. A forest department guide isalways their with the visitors on these jeep trips taken insidethe park. Elephant safari trips are organized for tigertracking early in the morning.

Threats

Black Bear are threatened due to poaching for gallbladder (medicine), skin (ornamental), retaliatorykillings to reduce bear-human conflicts, and due tolarge scale habitat degradation or loss.

Since DNP is the only home left for hanguls and theyare threatened due to their antlers and meat.

Caveat

Tourist planning to visit DNP have to takepermission either from its wildlife warden’s officeor it should be collected from the check post atparks entrance.

Tourist Activities

Masrar lake: It's a beautiful lake located at the source of theDachigam river in higher Dachigam region of the DachigamNational Park. The river is main source of water for the animalsand plants of this area.

Bird watching: It is one of the popular activities that touristsenjoy in Dachigam National Park. There are over 150 species ofbirds that can be commonly seen in the area. Some of the birdspopularly seen in the park include the Monal Pheasant,Crimson Tragopan, Golden Eagle and the Bearded Vulture.

Contd…

Trout farms: Just at the entrance of the park is the Trout Farm. It is the place for Ichthyologists. You can see a variety of different fish ranging from Trouts, Pomfrets to Cortes Swordtail to even the Lion fish. The farm has separate spots where one can even feed fishes.

Jungle safaris: visitors can now enjoy a 3.5 km ride with a cost of rs. 125 per person viewing the trout fish streams and beautiful flora and fauna.

Accomodation

Two lodges and rest houses in the sanctuary areavailable for accommodation. For those staying inSrinagar, hotels and houseboats are available in plenty.

There are 578 Hotels near Dachigam National Park,Srinagar with 204 reviews and Average Guest Rating ,3.55/5 .

I have handpicked the Best 8 hotels near DachigamNational Park, Srinagar and they are

Vivanta By Taj - Dal View (A TajHotel)Brein, Srinagar 4.3 /5 Excellent (Based on 3 Reviews) 7.8 km from Dachigam National Park Rent -Rs. 16,000 Per Room Per Night

The Lalit Grand Palace Gupkar Road,Srinagar4.8 /5 Excellent (Based on 4 Reviews) 10.7 km from Dachigam National Park Rs. 15,500 Rs. 13,950 Per Room Per Night

Royal Khazir BoutiqueNOAREA, Srinagar 5.4 km from Dachigam National Park Rs. 4,500Per Room Per Night

Ronak Resort Nishat, Srinagar5.4 km from Dachigam National Park Rs. 2,500Per Room Per Night

Hotel Grand MahalShalimar Road, Srinagar 5.7 km from Dachigam National Park Rs. 3,882Per Room Per Night

Hotel Aman PalaceNishat, Srinagar 5.4 km from Dachigam National Park Rs. 1,550Per Room Per Night

Eagle Resort Nishat, Srinagar5.4 km from Dachigam National Park Rs. 1,600 Per Room Per Night

Paradise Gateway Hotel Nishat, Srinagar5.4 km from Dachigam National Park Rs. 5,333Per Room Per Night

Tourist places

A visit to Dachigam National Park can also be combined with other touristattractions across the city. With its delectable cuisines, and opportunitiesto explore the surrounding areas, Srinagar is perfectly poised to offer anexperience that is both, authentic as well as unique! There are many ideallocations to visit in and around this wonderful city, with prominent locallandmarks and favourable restaurants being just a few examples.

Areas of interest near Dachigam include the picturesque city of Srinagar(22 km) Jammu city (200 km), the alighting point for Vaishno Devi (animportant place of pilgrimage for Hindus), and Patnitop, a scenic hillresort.

Chasm-e-shahi

Harwan garden

Indira gandhi memorial tulip garden

Shalimar bagh

Nishat bagh

Tourist inflow

Every year 1000-2000 tourists visits dachigamwhich includes students, naturalists, scientists,conservation activits etc.

Thank you!!!!