Dachigam lies in the Srinagar district, 20 km from the district head-quarters. Dachigam wildlife sanctuary is home to the endangered hangul, known as the black-brown bear, musk deer, leopards and migratory birds. There is a trout fish farm in Dachigam. It is a big natural reserve which requires permissions from the wild-life authorities for exploration. The dense forests of Dachigam offer a brilliant view alongwith a glacier fed rivulet flowing right through the middle.

The animals found here are the hangul, Himalayan brown bear, Himalayan black bear, langur, Himalayan marmot, leopard etc.

There are over fifty species of trees, twenty of shrubs and five hundred species of herbs. The principal tree species are pinus griffithii, abies pindrow, juglans regia, morus alba, betula utilis, salix spp., populus spp., prunus armeniaca, corylus colurna, etc. Shrubs include berberis spp., desmodium tiliaefolium, parrotiopsis jacquemontiana, indigofera heterantha etc.  

There are over 150 species of birds. The principal species are monal, koklas, bearded vulture, griffon vulture, golden eagle, grey heron, starling, golden oriole, paradise flycatcher, western yellow-billed blue magpie, kestrel, peregrine falcon, etc.

The best months for bird watching are, from Mar-Sept.