Over 45,000 migratory birds flock to Pong reservoir in Himachal Pradesh

More than 45,000 migratory birds have flocked to the famous Pong Dam Lake in Himachal Pradesh. Officials of the Himachal Pradesh's forest department said that special teams have been deployed to check poaching in the area.

Dharamshala: Pong Dam Lake, also known as Maharana Pratap Sagar Lake, located in Himachal Pradesh's Kangra district has become a bird watcher's delight as thousands of migratory birds flock the dam site this winter.

According to officials, over 45,000 migratory birds have arrived at the Pong reservoir, triggering an influx of tourists to the spot. Forest officials said that the number of these birds will increase in the month of December.

Birds from Siberia, Central Asia and Russia arrive at the wetland site in winters and start their return journey in April. Rudishell duck, gulls, bar-headed geese and hundreds of avian species flock at the reservoir.

"We have appointed an adequate number of staffers for the protection of these migratory birds. We are also keeping an eye on the poaching activities with the help of teams." a senior forest official said, adding that poachers will be dealt with strict punishment.

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Upasana Patiyal, Chief Forest Conservator, said, "The forest department has made adequate security arrangements to avoid poaching of migratory birds. CCTV cameras have also been installed and strict action will be taken against poachers.

Patiyal said that around 1.15 lakh migratory birds flocked at the Pong Dam Lake last year and we are expecting a larger number of birds this year.

Pong Dam reservoir was created in 1975 by building the highest earthfill dam -- Pong Dam -- across Beas River in the wetland zone of the Shivalik Hills in the district. The lake is a well-known wildlife sanctuary and one of the 27 international wetland sites declared in India by the Ramsar Convention.

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