SENTINELS OF THE FOREST

AGAINST ODDS AND OBSCURITY, A BAND OF FORESTERS, FILMMAKERS, AND WOMEN ARE HELPING THE VALLEY'S WILD SANCTUARIES THRIVE

- NAZIR GANAIE

IN THE EMERALD STILLNESS OF KASHMIR'S

Dachigam National Park—where pine forests hum with birdsong and snow-fed streams thread through silent valleys—a hushed transformation is unfolding. It's not one of politics or protest but of quiet resolve and deep-rooted devotion. Here, far from the headlines, a dedicated group of wildlife guardians, naturalists, and conservationists have made it their life's work to protect the fragile magic of one of India's most biodiverse landscapes. Amid the rustle of leaves and the distant call of hangul, they stand as sentinels—not for glory, but for love of the wild.

Their mission isn't driven by fame or fortune but by reverence. They find purpose in the rustle of every leaf and the fleeting shadow of the endangered hangul. This isa story not just of saving a forest—but of living for it.

THE SOUL OF DACHIGAM

Stretching across 141 sq km, Dachigam National Park was once a royal hunting ground. Today, it's a refuge for endangered species like the hangul, the Himalayan black bear, and countless migratory birds. But its Dachigam National Park is home to rare wildlife and lush Himalayan landscapes majesty hides its vulnerability. Shrinking habitats and rising human-wildlife conflict pose daily threats.