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found in
Kashmir are golden eagles, lammergeiers, black eagles,
kestrels, hobbys, griffon vultures, Cinnamon sparrows, the
black and yellow grosbeak, black bulbuls and monal pheasants.
Several national parks and wildlife sanctuaries have been
established in the state of Jammu and Kashmir like Ramnagar
Wildlife Sanctuary, Kishtwar High Altitude National Park,
Nandni Wildlife Sanctuary, Surinsar Mansar Wildlife Sanctuary,
Jasrota Wildlife Sanctuary, Dachigam National Park, Overa
Wildlife Sanctuary and Gulmarg Biosphere Reserve.
Ramnagar Wildlife Sanctuary
Ramnagar Wildlife Sanctuary is situated only 6 km. away from
Jammu city. This sanctuary occupies an area of 31 square km
and has an altitudinal range of 430 to 611 meters above sea
level. About 8 mammal species of animals including nilgai and
barking deer, wild boar, rhesus monkey can be seen in this
sanctuary. About 15 species of birds can also be seen in this
sanctuary like Indian Mynah, blue rock pigeon, peafowl, red
jungle fowl, jungle crow, golden oriole, white cheeked bulbul.
The best time to view the mammals is from September to March
and for birds is March to May. The nearest airport and railway
station is located in Jammu which is 8 kms from the sanctuary.
Kishtwar High Altitude National Park
Kishtwar High Altitude National Park is situated only 248 kms.
away from Jammu city. This national park occupies an area of
400 square km and has an altitudinal range of 1,700 to 4,800
meters above sea level. The area is characterized by marked
variations in topography, climate and altitude as a result of
which different types of forest vegetation occur. The
principal tree species are Cedrus deodara, Pinus gerardiana,
Pinus wallichiana, Quercus spp., Juglans regia, Ulmus spp.,
etc. The major herbs include Primula spp., Brachypodium spp.,
Anemone spp., Dipsacus mitis, Artemisia vulgaris, etc. The
park contains 15 species of mammals including the musk deer,
Himalayan black and brown bear, hangul, markhor, goral, langur,
leopard, etc. There are about 50 species of birds like the
Himalayan jungle crow, bearded vulture, griffon vulture,
flycatcher, golden oriole, white cheeked bulbul and Indian
Mynah. The best season to view the birds is from March to May
and for animals mammal is September to March. The nearest
airport and railway station is in Jammu, which is 250 kms
away.
Nandini Wildlife Sanctuary
Nandini Wildlife Sanctuary is situated about 26 kms from
Jammu. This wildlife sanctuary is spread over an area of 33
square km. and has been named after Nandni village. Nandini
Wildlife Sanctuary is characterized by stunning locale and
varied topography. This sanctuary is the home of a large
number of rare and endangered species of mammals and birds.
There are about eight mammal species in the area. The main
species are leopard, wild boar, rhesus monkey, goral, grey
langur etc. The sanctuary is also known for the wonderful
species of pheasants. The common birds are Indian mynah, blue
rock pigeon, peafowl, red jungle fowl, chir pheasants, chakor
etc. The best season to view the birds is from March to May
and for animals is September to March. The nearest airport and
railway station is in Jammu, which is 28 kms away.
Surinsar Mansar Wildlife Sanctuary
Surinsar Mansar Wildlife Sanctuary has been named after the
two lakes located on each corner of the sanctuary. This
sanctuary comprises an area of 98 square km. and located about
56 kms away from the Jammu city. The vegetation consists of
the mixed scrub forest with broad leaved species mixed with
stands of Pinus gerardiana. The common broad leaved species
are Acacia spp., Mallotus phillipensis, dalbergia sissii,
ficus religiosa, bahunia variegata. This wildlife sanctuary
supports 8 species of mammals and 15 species of birds. The
mammals found in the sanctuary are Goral, wild boar, barking
deer, leopard. There is multitude of birds like black
partridge, red jungle fowl, peafowl, grey partridge, green
pigeon, blue rock pigeon, rufus turtle dove. The best season
to view the mammals is from September to March and for birds
is March to May. The nearest airport and railway station is
located in Jammu which is 58 kms from the sanctuary.
Jasrota Wildlife Sanctuary
Jasrota Wildlife Sanctuary is situated right on the banks of
Ujh river, north of Jasrota village. This wildlife sanctuary
is spread over an area of 10 square km. The entire area is
mainly dominated by bamboo plantations. The other broad leaved
species are Acacia Catechu A.Arabica, Dalbergia Sissoo, Lannea
Grandis etc. The main shrubs are Lantana camara, Carisa
spinarum, Dodonea Visacosa. Cheetal, Barking deer, wild boar
and rhesus monkey are the main animals which are found in the
sanctuary. There is rich variety of pheasants and other
migratory and resident birds. The principal species are
peafowl, red jungle fowl, jungle bush quail, green pigeon and
blue rock pigeon. The best season to view the mammals is from
September to March and for birds is March to May. The nearest
airport and railway station is located in Jammu which is 65
kms from the sanctuary.
Dachigam National Park
Dachigam National Park is situated about 22 kms. from Srinagar.
Dachigam National Park forms almost half of the Dal Lake's
catchment area and is one of the famous natural reserves in
India. This park covers an area of 141 square kms. and
situated at an altitude of 1700 to 4000 meters above sea
level. The dense forests of Dachigam offers a brilliant view
along with a Glacier fed rivulet flowing right through the
middle. There are over fifty species of trees, twenty of
shrubs and five hundred species of herbs. The principal tree
species are Pinus griffithii, Abies pindrow, Juglans regia,
Morus alba, Betula utilis, Salix spp., Populus spp., Prunus
armeniaca, Corylus colurna, Quercus robur, Ulmus wallichiana,
Aesculus indica, etc. This park is the home of the endangered
Hangul Stag, the species of the red deer in the country. The
various other mammals include Himalayan brown bear, Himalayan
black bear, musk deer, langur, Himalayan marmot, leopard etc.
There are over 150 species of birds. The principal species are
monal, koklas, bearded vulture, griffon vulture, golden eagle,
grey heron, starling, golden oriole, paradise flycatcher,
western yellow-billed blue magpie, kestrel, peregrine falcon,
black bulbul, etc. There is also a Trout fish farm in Dachigam.
In order to explore the park you will have to obtain
permission from the wildlife authorities. The best season to
view the birds is from March to May and for animals is
September to March. The nearest airport is located in Srinagar
which is about 32 kms from Dachigam National Park.
Overa Wildlife Sanctuary
The Overa Wildlife Sanctuary is situated about 76 kms. from
the south-east of Srinagar, near Pahalgam. Overa Wildlife
Sanctuary is characterized by stunning mountain landscapes,
grass-clad hills and deep valleys. This sanctuary covers an
area of 33 square km. The Overa Willife Sanctuary is richly
covered with a variety of floral complexes which comprise
mainly of conifers. The principal species are Pinus griffithii,
Abies pindrow, aesculus indica, Morus alba, Juglans regia,
etc. This sanctuary is the home of 13 rare species of mammals
and over 80 species of birds. The mammals are hangul, musk
deer, serow, rhesus macaque, langur, leopard, leopard cat,
etc. It has acquired an outstanding position for its varied
and magnificent species of pheasants like chukar, koklas,
monal, Himalayan snow cock, jungle crow, red billed chough,
griffon vulture, bearded vulture, Himalayan whistling thrush,
rufous-backed shrike, Indian mynah, etc. The best season to
view the birds is from March to August and for animals is
September to April. The nearest airport is located in Srinagar,
about 87 kms from the sanctuary.
Gulmarg Biosphere Reserve
Gulmarg Biosphere Reserve is located about 48 kms. to its
south-west of Srinagar. This reserve covers an area of 180
square kms and situated at an altitude of 2400 to 4300 meters
above sea level. The sanctuary is of particular interest to
ornithologists. The area holds a rich cover of vegetation and
consists of conifers which account for over 90% of area. The
principal species are Cedrus deodara, Pinus griffithii, Abies
pindrow, Aesculus indica etc. The ground cover is very rich
and dicotyledonus herbs dominate that comprises of Rumex
patientia, Primula spp., anemone spp., etc. It is famous for
retaining several rare and endangered species of animals like
the musk deer, hangul, serow, brown bear, Leopard, black bear
and red fox etc. The reserve also houses a good population of
pheasants and resident and migratory birds. The common birds
are griffon vulture, monal, snow cock, koklas, blue rock
pigeon, Kashmir roller, European hoopoe, jungle crow etc. The
best time to view the birds is from the month of March to May
and for animals is from September to March. The nearest
airport is located in Srinagar, about 57 kms from the reserve. |
