Maharana Pratap Sagar, Kangra, Himachal Pradesh India

Maharana Pratap Sagar in India, also known as Pong Reservoir or Pong Dam Lake was created in 1975, by building the highest earthfill dam in India on the Beas River in the wetland zone of the Siwalik Hills of the Kangra district of the state of Himachal Pradesh. Named in the honour of the patriot Maharana Pratap (1572-1597), the reservoir or the lake is a well-known wildlife sanctuary and one of the 25 international wetland sites declared in India by the Ramsar Convention.

The reservoir covers an area of 24,529 hectares (60,610 acres), and the wetlands portion is 15,662 hectares (38,700 acres). The Pong Reservoir and Gobindsagar Reservoir are the two most important fishing reservoirs in the Himalayan foothills of Himachal Pradesh. These reservoirs are the leading sources of fish within the Himalayan states.

Located among the picturesque snow-clad mountains of the Himalayas, Maharana Pratap Sagar Sanctuary is a lake sanctuary in the Kangra district of Himachal Pradesh. Spread across 450 sq km, the sanctuary is locally known as Pong Dam and is located about 60 km southwest of Dharamsala.

Named in honour of Maharana Pratap, a Hindu Rajput ruler of Mewar, the sanctuary is located at an elevation of 1,476 ft above mean sea level. The sanctuary is popular mainly for the birds like surkhabs, plovers, terns, red necked grebes, water fowl egrets, ducks and lack-headed gulls among others.

Thousands of migratory ducks from Siberia can be seen in the swamp regions between Pong Dam and Shah Nagar barrage and other shallow regions of the lake. The best time to see the vibrant congregation of the visiting birds is between November and March.

Alpine forests and snow covered mountains form picturesque backdrops for the sanctuary. The mesmerizing panoramic view of the Dhauladhar Ranges and the Kangra Valley makes it a good place to click photographs.

The two km long dam on the Beas River is the highest dam in the country. The dam was built in 1975 and has become one of the most popular tourist attractions in Kangra district. The sanctuary grew around the Maharana Pratap Sagar and was declared a wildlife sanctuary in 1983.

The region is a paradise for fauna and flora. The sanctuary is home to barking deer, wild boars, leopards, cheetals, black buck and 27 varieties of fishes can be spotted in the lake.

There are great opportunities to go trekking on many popular trekking trails that have varying degrees of difficulty due to the terrain. There are many options for water sports like swimming, rowing, sailing, water skiing and canoeing. The abundant fish population in the lake makes it a good place for angling too.

The Ransar Island located in the Maharana Pratap Lake should be visited for its rich Himalayan flora and fauna. The main population of the black bucks and cheetals can be seen on the Ransar Island. Other attractions near the sanctuary are the Masroor rock-cut temples and the Haripur Fort.

Historical Kangra, sheltered to the north by the snow-capped Dhauladhar range, is endowed with much more than mountains, temples and forts alone. This fertile hilly district becomes the annual home to tens of thousands of migratory birds every year. Set amidst the ancient, lightly forested Shivaiik Hills, Pong Dam, named Maharana Pratap Sagar, creates one of the most important wetlands in Northwest India. The reservoir was formed in the 1970s by the construction of a large dam created to generate power, regulate the supply of irrigation water to Rajasthan, and lastly to control monsoon flooding in the Punjab. Maharana Pratap Sagar (Pong Dam) Reservoir, with its ever-fluctuating water levels has coincidentally become a haven for migratory birds at a time when other wetlands in South Asia are under various threats.

Maharana Pratap SagarFor the survival of many migratory water birds from Russia, Siberia and Central Asia, Maharana Pratap Sagar Wetland plays a vital role as the winter habitat for multiple percentages of whole populations of certain species. The muddy shores and fields are the winter home for up to 10,000 Bar-headed Geese that breed and summer on the Tibetan plateau. Equally impressive are the numbers of Great Cormorant from Central Asia that spend winters feeding on the lake's fish, and can be seen every evening flying in their thousands towards their roosting sites along the Beas River. Ducks from Russia and Siberia such as Northern Pintail, Common Teal and Eurasian Wigeon winter here in numbers ranging from thousands to tens of thousands. The addition of various exotic species such as Ferruginous Duck, Red-crested Pochard and Purple Swamphen, make this scenic wetland a paradise for both birders and nature lovers.

Maharana Pratap Sagar, Pong Dam, KangraMaharana Pratap Sagar wetland, situated in the North Himalayan range, is surrounded with rugged ridges, forested glades and streams that cut through valleys and canyons. Slate roofed structures of mud, brick and stone gather to form clusters of villages, amidst rich green fields and grooves of forests. Pragpur have been declared as heritage villages.

A perfect place for tourists, Maharana Pratap Sagar is also known as Pong Dam and is located at a distance of 20 Kms from Chintpurni. This dam as well as Wildlife Sanctuary is spread over an area of 450 sq Kms and are very popular for its rowing, water skiing and sailing.

The wetland is home to a considerable percentage of asian water birds like the Bar Headed grese as well as threatened species such as the Greater spotted Eagle, White Rumped vulture, Red Necked Falcon, Sarus Crane and the Painted Stork. The surrounding areas are also home to many other birds like the Red Jungle Fowl, Hoopoe, Blue Whistling Thrush, Asian Pied Flycatcher and Whistle Throated Kingfisher. Apart from bustling with nature and wildlife, the Maharana Pratap Sagar Wetlands have their share of ancient temples too. Noteworthy amongst these are the unique monolithic Masoor temple, the Dadasiba temple and Bathu Temple. An ideal destination for avid nature lovers as well as hikers and trekkers. Pragpur Garli, provides several essential services such as tailors and shoemakers, along with traditional craftsmen who are involved in weaving and silver work.

A Regional Sports center offers boating trips to Ransar Island along with recreational sports activities. Tourists may carry their fishing equipment too, as fishing in the vicinity of the Dam is allowed. The weather and the bird population is at its best between November and March. While avid bird watchers can spot many exotic birds during April/May and September/October.