Jammu and Kashmir National Parks, Wildlife Sanctuaries & Ramsar Sites

National Parks in Jammu and Kashmir

Salim Ali National Park

• Salim Ali National Park or City Forest National Park is a national park located in Srinagar, Jammu and Kashmir.
• The name of the park commemorated the Indian ornithologist Salim Ali.
• Major Fauna: Kashmiri stag (hangul) (CR), musk deer (EN), Himalayan black bear.
• Major Avifauna: Paradise flycatcher, Himalayan monal, and Himalayan snowcock.

Salim Ali (1896-1987)

• Salim Ali, an Indian ornithologist, was the first Indian to conduct systematic bird surveys across India.
• He was a key figure behind the Bombay Natural History Society and creation of the Bharatpur Bird Sanctuary (Keoladeo National Park).

Dachigam National Park

• It is located in the Zabarwan Range of Western Himlayas.
• Dachigam means “10 villages”. The name symbolize the 10 villages that were relocated from the area for the formation of Dachigam national park.
• It is famous for Himalayan moist temperate evergreen forest.
• Vegetation: Coniferous forest, alpine pastures, meadows abd scrub vegetation.
• Major Fauna: Kashmiri stag (hangul) (CR), musk deer (EN), Himalayan serow, Kashmir grey langur, Himalayan black bear, Himalayan brown bear.
  • Dachigam national park is known as the home of Hangul. It has the last surviving population of Hangul in the world.

Kishtwar National Park

• Kishtwar National Park is located in the Kishtwar district of Jammu and Kashmir.
• It is bounded to the north by Rinnay River, south by Kibar Nala catchment, east by main divide of Great Himalayas and west by Marwah River.
• It was majorly founded to protect the Snow Leopards that are now slowly vanishing from the nature.
• Physical Features:
  • The area lies in the central crystalline belt of the great Himalayas and the tract is situated on the high altitudes i.e., sub-alpine and alpine zone.
• Flora:
  • It has a variety of temperature conifer forests. These include Fir, Himalayan Yew, Deodar, Blue Pine, or Kail and Spruce.
  • In the alpine regions of the park extensive alpine scrub and meadows are present.
• Fauna:
  • The park is a renowned snow leopard reserve. Besides, it provides a habitat for Brown bear, Himalayan musk deer, Hangul, Ibex, Wild boar, Indian muntjac, Serow Capricornis, Himalayan Tahr, Bharal etc.

Kazinag National Park

• Kazinag National Park is a national park in Baramulla city of the Baramulla district in the Indian union territory of Jammu and Kashmir.
• The National park is located on the north bank of river jehlum.
• Kazinag National Park is situated in the western Himalayas and is part of the larger Western Himalayan Biodiversity Hotspot.
• The park is nestled in the Pir Panjal Range, which is characterized by rugged mountains, deep valleys, alpine meadows, and dense forests.

Wildlife Sanctuaries of Jammu & Kashmir

Gulmarg Wildlife Sanctuary

• It is located in the foothills of Pir Panjal Range.
• The sanctuary encompasses the famous tourist destination of Gulmarg, which is known for its picturesque landscapes, skiing opportunities, and other outdoor activities.
• Major Fauna: Musk deer, common leopard, barking deer.

Hirapora Wildlife Sanctuary

• Hirpora Wildlife Sanctuary or Heerpora Wildlife Sanctuary is located, Hirpora in Shopian district of Jammu and Kashmir.
• It is bounded to the north by Lake Gumsar, northeast by Hirpora village, east by Rupri, south by Saransar and to the west by the Pir Panjal pass.
• The Hirpora Wildlife Sanctuary is an abode to many species of animals including the Himalayan brown bear, Himalayan black bear, musk deer, leopard, Tibetan wolf, Himalayan palm civet and around 50 individuals the critically endangered Pir Panjal markhor.

Hokersar or Hokera Wildlife Sanctuary (Ramsar Site)

• The Hokersar is a wetland in Srinagar district of Jammu and Kashmir.
• It is a natural perennial wetland contiguous to Jhelum River basin.
• It is an important migratory bird area.

Nandni Wildlife Sanctuary (BS)

• It is near Jammu and is known for its pheasant population.
• The sanctuary’s name is derived from the nearby Nandini village, located in the Dansal district of Jammu.

Overa-Aru Wildlife Sanctuary

• The Overa-Aru Wildlife Sanctuary is a protected area in Aru Valley, Pahalgam near Anantnag city in Anantnag district of Jammu and Kashmir.
• It is bordered to the north by Sind Valley and to the west by Dachigam National Park.
• Sanctuary is a catchment area of the Lidder River, a tributary of Jhelum.
• Major fauna: Hangul (Kashmir Stag; CR), musk deer (EN), snow leopard (VU).

Rajparian (Daksum) Wildlife Sanctuary

• It is located in Anantnag district of Kashmir.
• Major fauna: Hangul (Kashmir Stag; CR), Musk deer (EN).
• It is disturbed due to excessive grazing by nomadic Bakarwals.
• The Bakarwal are nomads of the Pir Panjal and Himalayan mountains. They are transhumants.

Ramnagar Rakha Wildlife Sanctuary

• It is located near Jammu.
• Major fauna: Musk deer, brown bears, leopards.

Surinsar Mansar Wildlife Sanctuary (Ramsar Site)

• It derives its name from the two lakes on the sanctuary.
• It is located 58 kms away from the Jammu city.

Tral Wildlife Sanctuary

• It falls in the Pulwama district of south Kashmir.
• It is created in Pulwama to conserve hangul (Kashmir Stag; CR).
• It act as a buffer around Dachigam National Park and Overa-Aru Wildlife Sanctuary.

Trikuta Wildlife Sanctuary

• Located to the north of Jammu, it hosts the highly revered Vaishno Devi shrine.

Jasrota Wildlife Sanctuary

• Situated right on the banks of river Ujh.
• Located in the Sivalik Hills to the west of Ranjit Sagar Dam (Punjab).