Data Zone
Site description (2004 baseline):
AVIFAUNA: Dachigam NP is very rich in high altitude birds. Before insurgency started in 1989, it was very popular with birdwatchers and researchers. A total of 145 species have been recorded (Katti 1989), while Hussain (1989) has recorded 107 species during the BNHS Bird Migration Project. Many of the birds were ringed, so the identity has been confirmed. This site is perhaps very important for the globally Vulnerable Kashmir Flycatcher Ficedula subrubra. This migratory flycatcher has a small, declining population and breeding range, which is also severely fragmented, as a result of the destruction of Temperate, Mixed Deciduous Forests (BirdLife International 2001). It has been recently found wintering in moderate numbers in Mukurthi NP (IBA) in Tamil Nadu (Zarri and Rahmani in press). Dachigam lies in the Western Himalayas Endemic Bird Area (EBA 128) where Stattersfield et al. (1998) have listed 11 Restricted Range species. Three have been found here till now but more are likely to be present. Dachigam represents two biomes: Biome-5 Eurasian High Montane (Alpine and Tibetan) above c. 3,600 m, and Biome-7 Sino- Himalayan Temperate Forest, between c. 1,800 m and 3,600 m. BirdLife International (undated) has prepared a list of biome species. Out of the 48 Biome-5 species, seven are found here. Similarly, 13 species of Biome-7 are found here, out of 112. Ahmad (1999) has seen purely migratory species such as Northern Pintail Anas acuta and Mallard A. platyrhynchos on June, 20 1998, at the Harwan Reservoir inside the Park. While there are many records of breeding of Mallard in Kashmir (Bates and Lowther 1952) the sighting of Northern Pintail in summer, so far away from its known breeding range is interesting. Of the pheasants, Himalayan or Impeyan Monal Lophophurus impejanus and Koklass Pucrasia macrolopha are present. The Himalayan Snowcock Tetraogallus himalayensis is also reported (Rodgers and Panwar 1988). Among the breeding species are the Kashmir Flycatcher Ficedula subrubra,Orange Bullfinch Pyrrhula aurantiaca and Tytler’s Leaf-Warbler Phylloscopus tytleri. The Oriental White-backed Vulture Gyps bengalensis is recorded from this IBA, and Eastern Imperial Eagle Aquila heliaca also can be seen during the migratory season. Himalayan Golden Eagle Aquila chrysaetos and Lammergeier Gypaetus barbatus are easily seen here.
OTHER KEY FAUNA: The most important mammal of Dachigam National Park is the Hangul or the Kashmir Stag Cervus elaphus hanglu. Owing to insurgency from 1989 onwards, its population has crashed, both due to poaching by para-miliary personnel and due to habitat deterioration. Along with the Hangul, there are 15 other known species of mammals (Department of Wildlife Protection 1985).
The Himalayan Black Bear Ursus thibetanus (Kurt 1979) is widely distributed but the Brown Bear Ursus arctos, is uncommon and found only in Upper Dachigam (Kurt 1979; Gruisen 1983).
Himalayan Musk Deer Moschus chrysogaster is an uncommon ungulate of the higher reaches of Dachigam. There is no recent record of Snow Leopard Uncia uncia, although Holloway (1970) reports seeing one. However, the LeopardPanthera pardus, the major natural preda tor of Hangul and other animals, is quite common. Himalayan Yellow-throated Marten Martes flavigula, Beech Marten Martes foina, Himalayan Weasel Mustela sibirica, Jungle Cat Felis chaus, Golden Jackal Canis aureus and Red Fox Vulpes vulpes are some of the smaller predators. The Long-tailed Marmot Marmota caudata and Himalayan Mouse Hare Ochotona roylei forms their main prey, along with birds. Wild Boar Sus scrofa is quite abundant, as killing it is taboo for the local people.
Of the seven species of Langurs recently described by Groves (2001), Nepal Langur Semnopithecus schistaceus is found in Dachigam. They move around in large troops, often of 60 or more (Gruisen 1983).
Dachigam is vital not only as a refuge for the Hangul, but also as an undisturbed catchment area for the Harwan Reservoir, which is the main freshwater supply for Srinagar and contributes major water supply to the Dal lake. There are no longer any permanent settlements within the Park. An estimated 10,000 sheep and 5,000 water buffalo belonging to Chopans, Gujjars, Bakarwals and Banyaris used to graze on the alpine pastures in summer, and wood and grass was collected by local villagers (Kurt 1978, 1979). Such practices have since been stopped, although livestock from a Government Sheep Breeding Farm, established on land excised from the former Sanctuary in 1961, continues to occupy the Dagwan pastures of Upper Dachigam in summer (Department of Wildlife Protection 1985). It is recognized as the main and long outstanding problem, and can only be solved by its removal (Department of Wildlife Protection 1985). In the meantime, with funds from the Dal Development Board, a chainlink fence has been erected around the farm to prevent sheep from grazing on the southern slopes of Lower Dachigam. However, large quantities of grass are still cut from within the Park for winter fodder. Other problems include the lack of coordination between the many different departments that hold stakes in the Park (Animal Husbandry, Hospitality and Protocol, Public Work Department, Irrigation and Water Works, Electricity, Telephones, Agriculture and Fisheries), and the disturbance to wildlife caused by visitors driving noisily along the 5 km stretch of road to the VIP lodge at Draphama (Gruisen 1983). Presently, the army has a base inside the National Park. Visitors have to take permission from the Chief Conservator of Forests or the Army to visit the Park. In order to save the Hangul and the Park, it is essential that the army is made aware of this.
Recommended citation
BirdLife International (2024) Important Bird Area factsheet: Dachigam National Park (India). Downloaded from
https://datazone.birdlife.org/site/factsheet/dachigam-national-park-iba-india on 23/12/2024.