Sprawling on the mesmerising Dachiga Valley of Jammu and Kashmir. The Salim Ali National Park is the gateway to experience the wilderness of Srinagar. Whether you are a nature lover, a birdwatcher, or an adventure seeker, Salim Ali National Park is the place for you. Strolling in the National Park, tourists will come across various Flora, including Cedrus Deodara, Pinus Griffith, and many more. Tourists might also come across animals like musk deer, Himalayan Leopard, Himalayan Black Bear, hangul, and many other animals that inhabit this enchanting National Park in Srinagar. The National Park is a charming natural wonder in Srinagar.
History Of Salim Ali National Park
Image Credit: Dr Salim Ali Bird Sanctuary for Facebook
The Salim Ali National Park in Srinagar was named after the famous ornithologist and naturalist Dr. Salim Moizuddin Abdul Ali. Dr Salim Ali was considered the “Birdman of India” as he was the first Indian to study birds and conduct surveys on various species of birds.
The National Park was established in 1986 when it was known as City Forest National Park; later, in 1986, it was named after Dr. Salim Ali. From 1998 to 2001, the National Park in Srinagar, then Chief Minister of Srinagar Farooq Abdullah, was an enormous golf enthusiast and decided to convert the Salim Ali National Park into a golf course.
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Flora And Fauna At Salim Ali National Park
Image Credit: Shyamal for Wikimedia Commons
Spread across a 9.07-kilometre square, the Salim Ali National Park is home to various flora and fauna. The National Park of Srinagar has a spectacular mangrove shrubbery where 70 species of birds can be found.
Adding uniqueness to the National Park of Srinagar is the opportunity to spot endangered animals that inhabit the park. Tourists might catch a glimpse of some endangered animals like musk deer, hangul, Himalayan Black Bear, flying fox, leopard, and many other animals.
Places To Visit Near Salim Ali National Park
Srinagar is known for its verdant landscapes, snow-capped mountains, and popular tourist attractions. Here is a list of places you can consider visiting after exploring the tranquil Salim Ali National Park.
1. Shalimar Bagh Mughal Garden
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Located on the shores of the mesmerising Dal Lake, the Shalimar Bagh Mughal Garden is the largest of the three Mughal Gardens in Srinagar. This charming Mughal Garden was built by Mughal Emperor Jahangir in 1619 for his beloved wife. Surrounded by tall Chinar trees and numerous flowers, the Shalimar Bagh offers a serene environment for tourists. The Shalimar Bagh, also known as the “House of Love”, has an appealingly designed canal that runs through the centre of the garden, further enhancing the charm of the Mughal Garden. The main attraction of this place is the “Chini Khanas” embellished with flower pots, making it a treat for the eyes.
Distance from The National Park: 14.1 Kilometres
Timings: April to October: 9:00 AM – 7:00 PM; November to March: 10:00 AM – 5:00 PM
Entry Fees: INR 10
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2. Indira Gandhi Memorial Tulip Garden
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Located on the foothills of the Zabarwan Mountain Range, the Indira Gandhi Memorial Tulip Garden has to be the most delightful tourist attraction in Srinagar. The Tulip Garden is a must-visit place for tourists because it is the largest Garden in Asia and offers a breathtaking view of the Dal Lake. The Seven-terraced Tulip Garden has forty-eight varieties of Tulips and has roses, daffodils, hyacinths, and iris. The Garden has a water channel running through the terraces that enhances the beauty of the place, making it an ideal place for couples to capture some memorable moments. Make sure to visit the Tulip Garden on your next trip to Srinagar.
Distance from The National Park: 9.5 Kilometres
Timings: 9:00 AM – 7:00 PM
Entry Fees: Adult: INR 50,
Child: INR 25
3. Niggen Lake
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Located near Dal Lake, Nigeen Lake is renowned for its pristine waters and serene atmosphere, which tourists can consider exploring during their Srinagar visit. The lake got its name from the word “Nageena”, which means “jewel in the ring”. Surrounded by willow and poplar trees, the lake provides the most scenic views of the snow-capped Himalayan mountain ranges and is considered the best place to watch the sunrise and sunset. Nigeen Lake is ideal for tourists looking for a peaceful place to watch the stunning Himalayan mountain ranges in a calm environment. On the eastern shore of the Lake, the Nigeen Club provides facilities like saunas, gyms, and coffee shops.
Distance from the National Park: 7.0 Kilometres
Timings: 24/7
Entry Fees: Free
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4. Hazratbal Shrine
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Located on the banks of the pristine Dal Lake, the Hazratbal Shrine is the holiest Muslim Shrine in Srinagar. In the early seventeenth century, Sadiq Khan the subedar of the Mughal Emperor Shah Jahan, built an exquisite structure known as Ishrat Mahal, when Shah Jahan himself visited the Ishrat Mahal he decided to convert this place into a prayer hall. The Hazratbal Shrine preserves a strand of hair of Prophet Muhammad, known as the “relic” or the Moi-e-Muqaddas. The Hazratbal Shrine is famous in Srinagar owing to its Mughal architectural brilliance. Besides this, the Hazratbal Shrine offers a picturesque view of the Dal Lake and the snow-capped mountains.
Distance from the National Park: 8.5 Kilometres
Timings: 9:30 A.M.-5:30 P.M.
Entry Fees: Free
5. Chashme Shahi
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Located in the Zabarwan Mountain range, the Chashme Shahi is one of the three Mughal Gardens in Srinagar and is a must-visit tourist attraction owing to its exquisite natural beauty. The Chashme Shahi Garden was built in 1632 A.D. by Ali Marda Khan on the orders of then-Mughal Emperor Shah Jahan. The Garden was dedicated to Shah Jahan’s Eldest son Daha Shikoh. The Chashme Shahi is a terraced garden filled with a variety of flowers, pools, and fountains exhibiting the architectural brilliance of the Mughals. It is believed that the spring water of the Chashme Shahi has medicinal properties, which is why numerous tourists visit this place to drink the spring water.
Distance from the National Park: 10.6 Kilometres
Timings: March – November: 8:00 AM – 7:15 PM
Entry Fees: Free
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Srinagar is renowned for its gardens, lakes, shikaris, and houseboats. Surrounded by the Himalayan Mountain Range, it is a popular tourist destination in northeastern India. Salim Ali National Park is one of the most extensive Mughal Gardens in Srinagar, which you should visit on your trip to Srinagar. Named after the famous Ornithologist Dr. Salim Ali, it is an array of exotic plants with various flowers. It makes the place ideal for tourists to seek solace from city life’s daily hustle and bustle.
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Cover Image Credit: Juan Felipe Ramírez for Wikimedia Common
Frequently Asked Questions About Salim Ali National Park
Where is Salim Ali National Park located?
The Salim Ali National Park is located in the beautiful Dachigam Valley in Jammu and Kashmir.
How to reach Salim Ali National Park?
Salim Ali National Park is easily accessible to tourists. Tourists can hire a taxi or book a rental car from Srinagar. Usually, it takes about 30 minutes to reach the National Park of Srinagar.
What is the best time to visit Salim Ali National Park?
The best time to visit the National Park is during the winter season when migratory birds fly from different countries or regions to this park for a couple of months.
What is the speciality of Salim Ali National Park?
The Salim Ali National Park is home to various endangered animals including hangul, Himalayan Black Bear, Himalayan Leopard, etc.
What are the timings and entry fees for the Salim Ali National Park?
The National Park in Srinagar is open to the Public from 9:00 A.M. till 5:00 P.M. Talking about the entry fees, the fee for Indian visitors is INR 10, and for foreign visitors, the entry fee is INR 100.
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