Surveys says Pong Dam wildlife sanctuary is nesting to 12314 bird species

• In addition to achievement of reverse climate change impacts, survey has revealed around 12,314 birds of various species were found at Pong Dam wild life sanctuary.
• The wild life sanctuary situated in Kangra district of Himachal Pradesh.
• The reservoir is a popular wildlife sanctuary and is one of the 25 International wetland sites declared in India.
• It has become the favorite places of various species that migrate from
• Siberia and Central Asia, according to a report dated July 1, 2015.

Survey team:-

• The entire Pong Dam Lake Wildlife Sanctuary was first divided into 15 segments in connection with the exercise and 40 persons participated in the exercise, each team having 2-4 members.
• Each section was thoroughly traversed, by different teams, both on land and along shores says Principal Chief Conservator of Forests (Wildlife-cum-Chief Wild life warden), J.S.Walia.

Survey Report:-

• That various species comprises of Around 12,314 birds, 90 species of
• Butterflies and 18 snake species in Pong dam lake according to the Wildlife
• Forest department wing.
• Dominant species observed and counted were the Cattle Egret (3,348), Little Cormorant (2,003), Small Pratincole (1,377), Little Egret (1,305), Red Wattle Lapwing (1,024).
• Other important species found breeding in the area and recorded in the lake were the Little Tern (194), Purple Heron (173), Yellow Wattle Lapwing(55), Gull billed Tern (46) and the Great Thick knee (43).
• Walia added that most of these are resident birds whereas the others are summer migrants like Yellow Wattle Lapwing, Small Pratincole, Lesser Whistling Duck, Indian Skimmer, Black crowned Night Heron and Blue tailed Bee eater.
• These species visit Pong Lake regularly, from their wintering places in Central India during the summers and over the last few years.
• He further informed that 423 species of birds, 18 species of snakes, 90 species of butterflies, 24 species of mammals, 27 species of fishes have so far been recorded in the Pong Dam Lake and counting in form of varied habitat, food availability and extended protection by the staff of the Wildlife Wing which has involved the local communities too in this enterprise.