The Pong Dam Lake Wildlife Sanctuary in Himachal Pradesh, India, welcomed over a lakh migratory water birds during the winter season of 2020-21.
Location and History
Located in the Kangra District of Himachal Pradesh, the Pong Dam was built across the Beas River in 1975, earning it other names such as the Pong reservoir or the Maharana Pratap Sagar. This site was declared a Wildlife Sanctuary by the Himachal Pradesh government in 1983. Only a decade later, in 1994, the Government of India identified it as a “Wetland of National Importance”. As recently as November 2002, it also earned the status of a Ramsar Site.
Destination for Migratory Birds
The sanctuary serves as a temporary home to around 220 species of birds belonging to 54 different families. Migratory birds from across the Hindukush Himalayas and as far as Siberia flock here during winters. Some notable avian-fauna include Black-headed gulls, Red necked grebes, plovers, terns, ducks, water-fowl egrets, and many more.
Rivers and Aquatic Life
The lake is largely fed by the Beas River and its numerous perennial tributaries, namely Gaj, Neogal, Binwa, Uhl, Bangana, and Baner. It is home to around 22 species of fish, including rare ones like sal and gad. The lake’s adequate water level also makes this site an excellent destination for water sports.
Vegetation in the Sanctuary
The area is covered with tropical and subtropical forests, providing shelter to a vast array of Indian Wildlife animals. The local flora includes Eucalyptus, acacia, jamun, shisham, mango, mulberry, ficus, kachnar, amla, and prunus. The fauna here ranges from barking deer, sambar, wild boars, and nilgai, to leopards and oriental small-clawed otters.
National Parks in Himachal Pradesh
Himachal Pradesh is home to five National Parks – the Great Himalayan National Park, Pin Valley National Park, Inderkilla National Park, Khirganga National Park, and Simbalbara National Park. Each park is known for its biodiversity and contribution towards conservation, housing a wide array of species from Greater Blue Sheep, Indian Pika, Rhesus monkey, Himalayan black bear, Himalayan brown bear, and Red fox, to snow leopards and Siberian ibex. Additionally, these parks also host rare bird species in the summer season and diverse insect species.
The Pong Dam Lake Wildlife Sanctuary stands as a significant hotspot for migratory birds and aquatic life while also boasting a rich variety in terms of vegetation and fauna. Together with other national parks in the state, it contributes to Himachal Pradesh’s reputation as a sanctuary for diverse wildlife.