Also called Pong Dam Wetland
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
For 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 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.
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
A Regional Sports center offers boating trips to
