Kazinag

Kazinag National Park lies on the north bank of the Jhelum River in Baramulla district, Jammu and Kashmir, rising from 1,800 to 4,700 m^[1]. It was created mainly to conserve the markhor, and the park forms part of a proposed trans-Karakoram peace park with Pakistan^[1].

About 20 mammal species are recorded, including markhor, Himalayan musk deer, Himalayan brown and black bears, leopard, Himalayan marmot and Kashmir flying squirrel^[1]. About 120 bird species include golden eagle, monal pheasant, cheer pheasant and snow pigeon^[1].

Coniferous forest dominates: deodar at lower altitudes, fir and spruce higher up, and blue pine across a wide range, with birch in the subalpine zone and alpine scrub and meadows at the top^[1].

The terrain is rugged and mountainous, rising toward Kazinag peak (4,732 m) on the Line of Control, whose springs and glacier feed several rivers^[1].

The climate is temperate with four seasons, temperatures of about -20 to +30 °C, and precipitation mostly as winter snow^[1].

The park lies close to the Line of Control and was part of a proposed trans-Karakoram peace park with Pakistan^[1].

The park was created after the Kargil War ceasefire amid pressure to conserve markhor, with the Wildlife Trust of India's support^[1].

The park is visited for markhor, birds and alpine scenery; May to September is suggested for birdwatching and April to May for mammals^[1].

The park lies on the Jhelum's north bank in Baramulla district, about 25 km from Baramulla town. Access details are not widely published.

The park is notified under the Wild Life (Protection) Act, 1972, and ranks as IUCN Category II^[1]. The Wildlife Trust of India supported its creation^[1].