Mudasir Ahmad
Srinagar, Nov 16: The built-up area near Dachigam National Park in Srinagar has surged by over 300 per cent in the past six decades, significantly impacting its ecosystem.
Dachigam National Park, spanning 141 square kilometers, is a critical protected area in the Kashmir Himalayas. It is surrounded by Dara Block, Sind Forest Division, Overa Aru Wildlife Sanctuary, and the forests of Cheshmashahi, Khanmoh Khrew, Hajin, Narastan, and Zowirstan. Despite its ecological importance, the park’s forest cover has dwindled due to rapid urbanization in the surrounding areas.
A recent study highlights that the expansion of built-up areas has contributed to over 300% increase in the vicinity of the park over the past 60 years.
“The growth of built-up areas has likely led to more sewage entering Dal Lake, resulting in a sharp increase in aquatic vegetation,” the study states.
Dachigam National Park, located about 20 kilometers from Srinagar, is home to the critically endangered Kashmir stag (Hangul) and numerous other species, including Asiatic black bears, leopards, langurs, endemic bird species, rare medicinal plants, and a diverse forest cover of conifers, oak trees, shrublands, and meadows.
Despite its ecological importance, the park faces threats from human encroachment.
An official from the Forest Department said that hundreds of kanals of forest land remain under encroachment across the Union Territory. The lack of clear demarcation and fencing has exacerbated habitat degradation, with local livestock grazing in the park’s upper reaches.
“Artificial boundaries have been drawn in some areas, but civilian populations residing near or within the park pose a serious threat to its wildlife and ecosystem,” the official explained.
Additionally, forest fires, often linked to the absence of proper demarcation, have further degraded the region. To counter these challenges, the government has initiated preservation measures, prioritizing the demarcation of vulnerable forest areas. “Efforts are underway to safeguard forest land and mitigate human interference,” the official said.
