By Riyaz Kazmi
Dachigam National Park is around 45 minutes delightful drive away from Lal Chowk Srinagar via vibrant Boulevard road,adjoining world famous Dal Lake and the Mughal Gardens. Most of the people residing in Srinagar are unaware of its unique vast expanse (141 Sq.Km) and bountiful flora and fauna. It is a natural jewel richly bedecked with a wide range of wild flowers and trees including oak, walnut, pine, birch, elm, popular, willow, elm, cherry, chestnut, and chinar. Notably, it is also a birdwatcher’s delight due to its varied avifauna. A haven for the vulnerable Hangul, it is the treasure trove of natural beauty which has so much to offer both to nature lovers and inquisitive researchers.
To maintain its sanctity,there is no free entry for the visitors. There is a strict protocol that one has to follow. However, Badamwari Athletes, our group, made persistent efforts to get us an approval from the concerned quarters. The officials of the wildlife department were quite prompt and helpful.
Lately, our athlete’s club is on a roll. We are committed to inculcate enthusiasm and promote adventure sports among the people. Therefore, the purpose of our visit to Dachigam was to give new participants exposure to nature. We were joined by proficient trekkers from Sopore and other parts of Kashmir.
On the pleasant day dated the 26th of November 2023, a sunday morning, we embarked on this remarkable journey. To our pleasure we were joined by a reputed photographer cum wildlife photographer, Mr.Ghulam Ahmad Bhat. He was deputed with us to explore Dachigam at length and breadth. It was a great learning experience for us to know how nature and wildlife operates there. We were advised to follow some steps and each member followed the instructions to the T.
The magnificent and mesmerizing beauty of Dachigam is exceptional in every season, and all the more during the autumn season. It’s this time that it becomes a wonderland carpeted with the vibrant hues of crispy golden Chinar leaves.
At the fag end of Autumn season, we didn’t want to miss the opportunity to witness the spectacle of nature when it’s exuding the best of its bewitching beauty. It is captivating to see the enchanting landscape of grass fields which gives us the feeling of some landscape in Scotland.
A journey into Dachigam is a surreal feeling. The tapestry is woven by a tree tunnel which sets the tone for the grand welcome into its natural splendor.
Our excitement knew no bounds at Droag Viewpoint, where we saw all the fabulous settings of nature.This place furnishes spectacular views and held us spellbound.
However, traversing the deep and dense forest of Dachigam National Park from Draphama to Chandakhadi isn’t a cake walk. A lot of discipline, passion and respect is required to be in harmony with nature here. One has to be very careful and close-lipped so that the fragile habitat of endangered species of Hangul or the Kashmir Stag is not distributed.
We were also aware and wary of the presence of overbearing bears and livid leopards. Going forward,as a team, we took every precaution necessary to avoid troubling or being troubled. Doing so ensured that we enjoyed the scenic beauty along the way to the fullest.
The trek this time was not enervating, so we got ample time to learn from our guide and to explore the surroundings.
Away from the humdrums and doldrums of city life, this haven gave us a chance to discover our peace of mind and gave us memories to cherish forever.
The forest walk was nothing less than a spiritual walk to see the inconceivable and unparalleled architecture of Allah (swt), who has bestowed upon us such natural bounties. It was a rich spiritual experience to see His masterpieces blessing us at every step of the way.
The cascade of falling Chinar leaves was so ethereal and surreal that it evoked the child in us to play with one another. We felt true freedom from the clutter and clutches of the materialistic world. Infact, there was no phone network, which turned out to be a big blessing for us to stay connected and present with the nature. Every step brought us closer and closer to it.
From the heavenly grandeur of Munew watch point, to the scenic beauty at Pahilpora — we were overwhelmed and overtaken by the heavenly grandeur of our surroundings. We decided to finally soak it all in at Bran Naar,under the thick canopy of Alpine trees, sipping tea.
Thankfully,the rutting period was also over and we were trying our level best to spot wildlife. However, we could only see Langur, the Himalayan black bear with two cubs and a yellow-throated Marten.
In harmony with the distant murmurs of Waskar Naala,we were quite absorbed. Yet we anxiously anticipated the Herd of the Hangul. But that wasn’t our day for it.
We did try very hard and marched ahead, but before we knew it, we found ourselves at the Waskar Nala which has its source at the Marsar lake. It was a soul soothing refuge. After some time, we headed towards Chandakhadi where we saw a beautiful piece of paradise beneath the picturesque Chandakhadi waterfall which originates from Daghwan.
We had an unlimited photo session there. Had it not been extremely cold there, we would have taken a dip in that pristine pond as well.
After wrapping up there, we quickly headed back to Waskar, where we had a hot delectable Zafrani Harissa and a chocolate laden ‘Filli Tea’ prepared by a thorough gentleman, Aakib Ahmad.We shared candid humor and enjoyed camaraderie in those fleeting moments.
We also maintained pin drop silence to listen and respect nature which was superbly playing its orchestra with the gurgling stream,chirping birds and the sound of crispy chinar leaves in symphony. We were overwhelmed by such natural beauty that time was not appropriate and enough to satiate our adventure hunger. We decided then and there that this was not going to be a goodbye.
The writer is founding member of Badamwari Athletes Club
Follow this link to join our WhatsApp group: Join Now
Be Part of Quality Journalism |
Quality journalism takes a lot of time, money and hard work to produce and despite all the hardships we still do it. Our reporters and editors are working overtime in Kashmir and beyond to cover what you care about, break big stories, and expose injustices that can change lives. Today more people are reading Kashmir Observer than ever, but only a handful are paying while advertising revenues are falling fast. |
| ACT NOW |
| MONTHLY | Rs 100 |  |
| YEARLY | Rs 1000 | |
| LIFETIME | Rs 10000 | |
