Colorful
pheasants include the crimson tragopan, the iridescent
monal pheasant with its glittering plumage, the blood
pheasant and the koklass pheasant. The golden eagle
and the bearded vulture or lammergeyer are seen circling
the brilliant blue skies. 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. A metalled road takes visitors
from Srinagar into Lower Dachigam. Upper Dachigam can
only be explored on foot.
Main attraction
Amidst
forests of silver birch and conifer roams the hangul.
Rare and on the verge of extinction till a few years
ago, the national park at Dachigam contains the last
viable hangul population in the world. Related to the
red deer of Europe, this breed is characterised by its
white rump patch and impressive spread of antlers.
Reaching There
The
Lower Dachigam region is accessible via a metaled road,
but Higher Dachigam areas are accessible only on foot.
The nearest rail junction is Jammu at a distance of
200 km away from Dachigam National Park. The nearest
town is Srinagar at a distance of 22 km and is well
linked to Dachigam by a proper metaled road. Srinagar
airport is the closest air link to the National Park. |
