HimVani
Dharamshala: Maharana Pratap Sagar popularly known as Pong Dam lake, the largest man made wet land of Northern India has witnessed the arrival of around 1.30 lakh migratory birds of about 90 species from Siberia and Central Asia during this winter .
The final number of migratory birds is likely to touch record number of 1.5 Lakh this year, as the surface water temperature of the reservoir which varies between 200 C to 400 c is best suited to them in winters. The 307 km long bird sanctuary – an island in the lake situated at 1450 ft. mean sea level falling in Nurpur and Dehra Forest divisions of Kangra district has gained the distinction of International Status called “Ramser Site” in an international forum of environmentalists in Spain during 2002.
Pond Dam Lake is about 115 km from district headquarter town, Dharamshala and has emerged as a major habitat for migratory birds in the country. Pong Dam Lake has total catchments area of 12562 sq. km, which falls in Kangra, Mandi and Kullu districts with Himalayas in the background and Shiwalik foothills in fore. About 2.5 Lakh domestic and migratory birds were sighted at the lake during this winter . The birds which were spotted in the lake included flamingos, grey and purple herons, egrets, spoonbills and
storks. In addition, the security is further tightened in and around Pong Dam Lake during the stay of migratory birds . While, the anti poachers are pressed into service and the staff remains extra vigilant and night raids are conducted. Meanwhile, Director Tourism Arun Sharma said that department has artificially created islands for shelters and breeding for migratory birds in natural habitat for about 36 migratory rare bird species that come to breed in the pong dam in summers mainly from South Indian and Western India.
Though my parents were from Garli and Pragpur, but I never knew that Maharana Pratap Sagar popularly known as Pong Dam lake, is great place to visit. I love nature, especially birds. After staying sixteen years abroad, and now finally coming back to India, I realized that perhaps there are so wonderful places in India to visit. Though I belong to Himachal, never got the time to visit Pong dam. I am looking forward to an earliest possible opportunity to visit the great bird sanctuary. Can someone send me the pics of some birds and the dam..would love to watch it.
Thanks!
I was so excited to read the status of Pragpur and Garli in Times of India today. Though my parents were from Garli and Pragpur, but I never knew that Maharana Pratap Sagar popularly known as Pong Dam lake, is great place to visit. I love nature, especially birds. After staying sixteen years abroad, and now finally coming back to India, I realized that perhaps there are so wonderful places in India to visit. Though I belong to Himachal, never got the time to visit Pong dam. I am looking forward to an earliest possible opportunity to visit the great bird sanctuary. Can someone send me the pics of some birds and the dam..would love to watch it.
Thanks!
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