Salim Ali National Park, National park in Srinagar, India
Salim Ali is a national park in the Srinagar district of India, covering nine square kilometers of mangrove forest along the western shore of Dal Lake. Paths wind beneath willows and tree canopies, while channels cut through the land and aquatic plants line the edges.
The government created the protected area in 1986 to preserve wetland habitat and bird populations around Srinagar. Dr. Salim Ali had earlier led several expeditions and drawn attention to the importance of these ecosystems for migrating and resident species.
The name honors ornithologist Salim Ali, who documented India's bird life and raised public awareness about conservation. Families often visit on weekends to walk among the trees and listen to bird calls echoing from the mangrove forest.
The grounds are open daily from 9 AM to 5 PM, with entry costing 10 rupees for Indian nationals and 100 rupees for foreign visitors. The best viewing times fall in early morning and late afternoon, when birds are most active and light skims across the water.
The park shelters the Kashmir stag, an endangered deer with broad antlers native to northern India's mountain regions. Flying foxes hang in groups from branches during the day and take flight at dusk, while the grey-headed fish eagle occasionally circles above the water.
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