Wildlife Sanctuaries in Kashmir - Kashmir has a rich diversity of flora and fauna. Numerous wildlife sanctuaries in Kashmir support the habitat for many endangered species of animals such as snow leopards, black bears, musk deer, bharal (blue sheep), red foxes, Kashmiri wolves, and more. Here are 13 of the best national parks and Wildlife Sanctuaries in Kashmir that you should visit this year!
Anantnag Wildlife Sanctuary
Dachigam National Park
Kazinag National Park
Kazinag National Park
Overa Aru Wildlife Sanctuary
Achabal Wildlife Sanctuary
Hirpora Wildlife Sanctuary
Jasrota Wildlife Sanctuary
Surinsar Mansar Wildlife Sanctuary
Gulmarg Wildlife Sanctuary
Salim Ali National Park
Hokersar Wildlife Sanctuary
Gulmarg Biosphere
Kishtwar National Park
This national park is located in the Kishtwar district of Jammu and Kashmir and is spread over an area of 910 sq km. It was established in 1981 and is home to a variety of wildlife including brown bears, Himalayan black bears, leopards, red foxes, Tibetan woolly hares, Eurasian otters, and more. The park also has a rich birdlife with over 150 species of birds being recorded here.
Anantnag Wildlife Sanctuary
The Anantnag Wildlife Sanctuary is one of the best Sanctuary in wildlife sanctuaries in Kashmir and is home to a variety of animals including leopards, lynx, musk deer, markhor, red fox, brown bear, weasel, and snow cock. The sanctuary is also home to a number of rare and endangered species such as the Himalayan goral, Himalayan black bear, and Asiatic black bear. The sanctuary covers an area of approximately 495 square kilometers and is located in the Anantnag district of Jammu and Kashmir.
Dachigam National Park
Dachigam National Park is one of the best wildlife sanctuaries in Kashmir. The park is home to a variety of animals including leopards, bears, deer, and ibex. The park also has a rich birdlife with over 130 species of birds. Dachigam National Park is a great place to see some of the rarest and most beautiful animals in the world.
Kazinag National Park
Kazinag National Park is a Wildlife sanctuary in Kashmir, India. It is home to a variety of animals, including the Himalayan brown bear, snow leopard, musk deer, red fox, and Eurasian otter. The park was established in 1987 and covers an area of 495 square kilometers.
Overa Aru Wildlife Sanctuary
The Overa Aru Wildlife Sanctuary, located in the Kupwara district of Jammu and Kashmir, is one of the best wildlife sanctuaries in the state. The sanctuary, which was established in 1987, covers an area of about 10 square kilometers.
The sanctuary is home to a wide variety of flora and fauna, including rare and endangered species such as the Kashmir stag, markhor, leopard, red fox, snow leopard, brown bear, Asiatic black bear, Himalayan ibex, musk deer, and otter.
The sanctuary is also home to a number of bird species such as the golden eagle, chukar partridge, snow cock, red-billed choughs, etc.
The best time to visit the sanctuary is between April and October.
Achabal Wildlife Sanctuary
The Achabal Wildlife Sanctuary is one of the best wildlife sanctuaries in Kashmir. It is situated in the Anantnag district of Jammu and Kashmir. The sanctuary covers an area of about 18 square kilometers. It was established in 1987 and is home to a wide variety of flora and fauna.
The sanctuary is home to a variety of animals such as leopards, bears, deer, wild boars, jackals, etc. There are also a number of bird species that can be found here such as eagles, partridges, ducks, etc. The sanctuary also has a rich variety of trees and plants.
The sanctuary provides a perfect opportunity for wildlife enthusiasts to spot some of the rarest and most endangered animals in their natural habitat. It is also a great place for nature lovers to spend some time away from the hustle and bustle of city life.
Hirpora Wildlife Sanctuary
Hirpora Wildlife Sanctuary is one of the best wildlife sanctuaries in Kashmir. It is located in the southern part of Kashmir and covers an area of about 100 square kilometers. The sanctuary is home to a variety of animals including leopards, brown bears, Himalayan black bears, musk deer, and red foxes. It also has a rich bird life with over 150 species of birds being recorded from the sanctuary.
Jasrota Wildlife Sanctuary
The Jasrota Wildlife Sanctuary is located in the northeastern part of the Jammu and Kashmir state in India. The sanctuary covers an area of about 15 square kilometers and was established in 1987. The sanctuary is home to a variety of wildlife including leopards, bears, deer, monitor lizards, and a variety of bird species.
The Jasrota Wildlife Sanctuary is a great place to see a variety of wildlife in its natural habitat. Visitors to the sanctuary can expect to see a variety of animals including leopards, bears, deer, monitor lizards, and a variety of bird species. The sanctuary is also home to a number of rare and endangered species such as the red fox, Eurasian otter, and Asiatic black bear.
The Jasrota Wildlife Sanctuary is open all year round and is best visited between the months of October and March when the weather is cooler.
Surinsar Mansar Wildlife Sanctuary
The Surinsar Mansar Wildlife Sanctuary is located in the foothills of the Himalayas and covers an area of 115 square kilometers. The sanctuary is home to a variety of wildlife including leopards, tigers, bears, deer, wild boars, and a variety of birds. The sanctuary also has a number of lakes that attract migrating waterfowl. Visitors to the sanctuary can go on safari rides or take part in nature walks.
Gulmarg Wildlife Sanctuary
The Gulmarg Wildlife Sanctuary is home to a wide variety of wildlife, including tigers, leopards, and snow leopards. The sanctuary is also home to a number of rare and endangered species, such as the Asiatic black bear, red fox, and Himalayan musk deer. The sanctuary is located in the heart of the Himalayan mountains and covers an area of 3,500 square kilometers.
Salim Ali National Park
1. Salim Ali National Park is one of the best Wildlife sanctuaries in Kashmir and is home to a variety of wildlife including rare birds, animals, and plants. The park is situated in the foothills of the Himalayas and covers an area of 10 square kilometers.
2. The park was established in 1980 and is named after the famous ornithologist Salim Ali.
3. The sanctuary is home to more than 200 species of birds, 30 species of mammals, and 15 species of reptiles.
4. Some of the rare bird species that can be found in the park include – Indian Pitta, Rufous-necked Laughing Thrush, White-throated Dipper, and Brown Fish Owl.
5. Some of the rare mammal species that can be found in the park include – the Asiatic Black Bear, Leopard Cat, Tibetan Antelope, and Red Fox.
6. The best time to visit the park is from October to March when most of the migratory bird species are present in the park.
Hokersar Wildlife Sanctuary
The Hokersar Wildlife Sanctuary, located in the Indian state of Jammu and Kashmir, is one of the best sanctuaries in the region. The sanctuary is home to a variety of wildlife, including rare and endangered species.
The Hokersar Wildlife Sanctuary was established in 1987 and covers an area of 8.6 square kilometers. The sanctuary is located in the Srinagar district, about 16 kilometers from the city of Srinagar.
The sanctuary is home to a variety of wildlife, including rare and endangered species. The most common animals found in the sanctuary are leopards, Himalayan black bears, musk deer, red foxes, and golden eagles.
The Hokersar Wildlife Sanctuary is a great place to see a variety of wildlife up close. Visitors can take part in safari tours and watch animals in their natural habitat.
Gulmarg Biosphere
The Gulmarg Biosphere Reserve is a protected area in the western Himalayan Mountains. The reserve covers an area of 1,585 km2 (613 sq mi) and includes the Gulmarg Wildlife Sanctuary, established in 1987.
The Gulmarg Biosphere Reserve is home to a diversity of flora and fauna, including rare and endangered species. The reserve is an important habitat for the Asiatic black bear, brown bear, snow leopard, red fox, lynx, Tibetan wolf, weasel, musk deer, and wild boar.
The avifauna of the reserve includes the golden eagle, lammergeier, bearded vulture, cinereous vulture, griffon vulture, Eurasian otter, chukar partridge, snow cock, Himalayan snowcock, Altai accentor, western Tragopan, kalij pheasant, rock ptarmigan, red-billed chough, alpine swift, white-throated kingfisher, common merganser, bar-headed goose, ruddy shelduck, great cormorant, common pochard, little grebe, water pipit, Eurasian three-toed woodpecker, and wallcreeper.
The Gulmarg Biosphere Reserve was established in 1987 and covers an area of 1 585 km2 in the western Himalayan Mountains.
As of 2019, there are 4 national parks in Kashmir. These are the Dachigam National Park, the Kishtwar National Park, the Salim Ali National Park, and the Gulmarg Biosphere Reserve.
The Wildlife Sanctuaries in Kashmir are open to tourists, but there are a few things to keep in mind when planning your trip. First, the area is still recovering from the devastating floods of 2014, so some trails and facilities may not be available. Second, because of the conflict in the region, it is important to check your government's travel advisories before you go.
Kashmir is blessed with a diverse range of wildlife sanctuaries, each offering something unique for visitors to enjoy. While all of Kashmir's wildlife sanctuaries are great for wildlife watching, some stand out above the rest. Here are our top picks for the best wildlife sanctuaries in Kashmir for wildlife watching:
1. Dachigam National Park: Located just 22 kilometers from Srinagar, Dachigam National Park is one of the most popular sanctuaries in Kashmir. The park is home to a variety of animals, including blackbucks, Himalayan brown bears, leopards, and red foxes. Visitors can also find over 200 species of birds in the park.
2. Kishtwar National Park: Situated in the Kishtwar district of Jammu and Kashmir, this national park is known for its pristine forests and alpine meadows. A variety of animals call this park home, including red squirrels, Asiatic black bears, snow leopards, and musk deer.
3. Gulmarg Wildlife Sanctuary: This sanctuary is located in the Pir Panjal Range and is home to a variety of animals, including ibex, red foxes, snow leopards, and Himalayan wolves. Visitors can also find over 100 bird species in the sanctuary.
