National Parks in Jammu and Kashmir

Jammu and Kashmir is home to 4 national parks.

Table of Contents

Dachigam National Park

Location: Srinagar District, Jammu & Kashmir, India; Zabarwan Range, Western Himalayas.
Game Reserve: Established in 1910 by the Maharaja to protect Kashmir stag (Hangul).
Wildlife Sanctuary: Declared in 1951.
National Park: Upgraded in 1981.
Area: ~141 sq.km (54 sq miles); divided into Lower Dachigam (1700–3500 m) and Upper Dachigam (2000–4700 m).
River: Dagwan River (Dagwan Nallah).
Plants: Deodar, Pine, Fir, Himalayan Poplar, Horse Chestnut, Walnut, Alpine meadows, Rhododendrons.
Animals: Kashmiri Stag (Hangul), Musk Deer, Snow Leopard, Himalayan Black Bear, Himalayan Brown Bear, Griffon Vulture, Ladakh Agama.

Location: North bank of Jhelum, Baramulla District, Jammu & Kashmir, India; In Pir Panjal Range.
National Park: Established in 2007 by merging Limber and Lachipora Wildlife Sanctuaries with Naganari Conservation Reserve (support from Wildlife Trust of India).
Area: ~160 sq.km (61.77 sq miles).
Elevation: 1,800–4,300 m (5,905–14,100 ft).
River: North bank of Jhelum River.
Plants: Deodar, Fir, Spruce, Kail, Maple, Oak, Walnut, Horse Chestnut, Birch, Alpine meadows (Himalayan Blue Poppy, Primroses, Orchids), Rhododendron.
Animals: Markhor, Himalayan Musk Deer, Himalayan Brown Bear, Himalayan Black Bear.
Special Notes: Famous for Markhor; Plays a key role in proposed trans-Karakoram Peace Park for India-Pakistan conservation cooperation.

Location: Kishtwar District, Jammu & Kashmir, India; Western Himalayas.
Boundaries: North – Rinnay River; South – Kibar Nala catchment; East – main divide of Great Himalaya; West – Marwah River.
National Park: Established in 1981 to conserve snow leopard population.
Area: ~2,190.50 sq.km (845.75 sq miles).
River: Kiar, Nath, Kibar, Marwah.
Plants: Blue Pine, Chir Pine, Deodar Cedar, Oak, Walnut, Rhododendron, Maple.
Animals: Snow Leopard, Himalayan Brown Bear, Himalayan Black Bear, Musk Deer, Ibex, Serow, Bharal, Himalayan Monal, Himalayan Snowcock, Bearded Vulture, Western Tragopan, Griffon Vulture.

Location: Srinagar District, Jammu & Kashmir, India.
National Park: Established in 1986; also called City Forest National Park; named after ornithologist Dr. Salim Ali.
Area: ~9.07 sq.km (3.50 sq miles).
River: Jhelum River (flows nearby).
Plants: Deodar, Pine, Oak.
Animals: Hangul, Himalayan Serow, Himalayan Black Bear, Musk Deer, Himalayan Monal, Himalayan Snowcock.