Dachigam National Park Dachigam National Park is located 22 | Upsc Environment

Dachigam National Park

Dachigam National Park is located 22 kilometers from Srinagar, Jammu and Kashmir. 

The name of the park literally stands for "ten villages" which could be in memory of the ten villages that were relocated for its formation. These ten villages were living in this region before the World War I the beginning of the early 20th century. 

The park has been a protected area since 1910, first under the care of the Maharaja of Jammu and Kashmir and later under the observation of the concerned government authorities.

It was initially created to ensure clean drinking water supply for the city of Srinagar.

It was upgraded and declared a National Park in the year 1981

Fauna -The main animal species that Dachigam is known for is the hangul, or the Kashmir stag. Other species include:

Musk deer (roose kat)

Leopard

Himalayan serow

Kashmir grey langur

Kashmir stag (hangul)

Located high among its interiors is the Marsar lake from which flows the Dagwan river. This river flows all the way down to, and past, the lower region where it runs along the only proper road in the park and is also known for its fish population, the trout.