"Life is not always what one wants it to be, but to make the best of it as it is, is the only way of being happy." ~ Jennie J Churchill

Destinations


Jammu and Kashmir
Dachigam

Dachigam forms almost half of Dal Lake's catchments area and is one of India's most panoramic wildlife reserves.

Overview
Dachigam forms almost half of Dal Lake's catchments area and is one of India's most panoramic wildlife reserves. In the early 19th century, 10 villages were relocated outside the boundaries of the reserve, thus, the name Dachigam which means 'Ten Villages'.

Spread over 140 sq. km, spanning heights between 5,500 to 14,000 feet above sea level, the reserve has a wide variety of landscape like rain forests, grass lands, broad leaved woodlands, coniferous forests, bare rock faces and alpine pastures. Considered home to some unique Himalayan fauna, the hangul or Kashmir stag is the most endangered species of red deer in the world.

The upper reaches of Dachigam become inaccessible to visitors during winters as the temperature dips as low as -10 degree Celsius. Some birds and animals found during this time of the year include cinnamon sparrows, black and yellow grosbeak, black bulbuls, monal pheasant and the Himalayan grey langur. The leopard, jackal, hill fox, yellow-throated marten, wild boar, Himalayan griffon, lammergeyer, leopard cat, long tailed blue magpie, jungle cat and Himalayan weasel can be sighted during winter.

Spring finds the Himalayan black bear returning from his winter hibernation in rocks. Winged creatures also become active and golden orioles, pygmy owlets, Himalayan pied woodpeckers, warblers, babblers, buntings and laughing thrushes tweet and chirp among the trees. During the short summer, new varieties of birds like red-browed finch, Himalayan ruby throat and wag tails also make an appearance in the upper reaches. The parks in higher altitudes still harbour a few Himalayan brown bear.

More on Kashmir
Overview
History
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Economy
Festivals
Wildlife
Adventure
Tourist Information
Climate

Places to Visit
Drass
Gulmarg
Jammu
Pahalgam
Sonamarg
Srinagar
Ladakh
More on Ladakh
Pilgrim Places
Amarnath Yatra
Vaishno Devi

Travelogues
Kashmir
Journey to Ladakh

Adventure
Mountaineering
Trekking
Rafting
Paragliding
Rock climbing

How to Get There
The nearest town and airport is ~Srinagar~, 22 km away. It is 310 km from Jammu, the nearest railway station. A metalled road links Srinagar with Lower Dachigam. Upper Dachigam can be reached on foot.

Accommodation
There are two lodges and rest houses in the sanctuary.

Best Season
May to August for upper Dachigam and September to December for lower Dachigam.

Whom to contact
The Chief Wildlife Warden, Srinagar, Jammu and Kashmir.

Compiled by Puneet Sachdeva


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Editor: Romola Butalia       (c) India Travelogue. All rights reserved.