Wetlands in Pong Dam lake

PONG DAM LAKE- Himachal Pradesh

Location: in the Himalayan foothills, 110 km ENE of Amritsar and about 170 km from Chandigarh, Himachal Pradesh
Area: .45,000 ha at maximum flooding Altitude: 450 m
Biogeographical province: 4.8.4
Wetland type: 17

Description of site: A recently created water storage reservior on the Beas river in the low foothills of the Himalaya on the northern edge of the Indo-Gangetic plain. The Dhauladhar mountain range forms a backdrop to the lake. The water level is subject to appreciable seasonal fluctuations. At high water levels, the maximum depth exceeds 50 m; at low water levels, a muddy shoreline up to 100 m wide is exposed. Parts of this exposed shoreline are cultivated during the dry season. The main source of water is the Beas river flowing out of the Kulu district of Himachal Pradesh. The reservoir contains several large islands which have been almost completely deforested. There is a large area of pools and swampy grassland immediately below the outfall from the dam Climatic conditions: North Indian monsoon climate with hot, humid summers (maximum temperature 40° C) and cold dry winters Principal vegetation: There is some submerged aquatic vegetation in the lake, but because of the pronounced seasonal changes in water level, the shoreline does not support extensive areas of emergent vegetation. The surrounding hillsides still support some mixed deciduous and pine (Pinus roxburghii) forest Land tenure: State-owned; the Beas Bhakhra Management Board controls the reservior, and the State Forest Department, the catchment area.

Conservation measures taken: The entire reservoir was declared a Bird Sanctuary in 1986, and is now being managed under an Intensive Management Plan with financial assistance from the Central Government.

Conservation measures proposed: Gaston and Pandey have made a number of proposals for the development and management of the Bird Sanctuary. These include: (a) the creation of permanent shallow-water areas where reed-beds and other perennial aquatic vegetation will develop and attract additional bird species; (b) the establishment of trees on the main island to provide nesting sites for colonial nesting birds such as storks, herons, and egrets; (c) the construction of floating islands which can be tethered in deep water and provide roosting and perhaps nesting sites for other species. One area, the mouth of the Banerkhad (Banganga) just below Haripur-Guler, has been recommended for development. If this is successful, one or two other areas might be developed and managed for wildlife. Other proposals concern the provision of facilities for observing birds on the lake, such as access paths and observation towers, and the provision of appropriate educational material. It was also suggested that the Sanctuary be extended to incorporate the pools and marshy area below the dam, thereby increasing habitat diversity within the reserve

Land use: Water supply for irrigation and domestic use. There is small-scale fishing in the lake, and the shoreline is cultivated during the dry season. Surrounding areas are used for forestry plantations and agriculture

Disturbance and threats: Fishing and cultivation along the shoreline are a source of some disturbance, but there is reported to be little poaching. The most serious threat comes from agricultural and forestry malpractices mi the water catchment area Economic and social values: In addition to its importance for water supply, the reservior supports a small fishery supplying local markets, and could, if appropriately managed, evolve into a readily accessible and important centre for conservation education Fauna: The size of Pong Dam Lake and its situation in the extreme northwest of the northern plains make it a suitable habitat for migratory birds entering the plains of India from Central Asia. Over 220 bird species belonging to 54 families have been recorded. The lake is an important wintering area for a large number of great black-headed gulls, a species which is fairly uncommon away from the Indian coast. The first sighting of the red-necked grebe in India was made on the waters of Pong Dam Lake. The shoreline of the lake is ever-changing because of water fluctuations. The drawdown area which supports very little vegetation is suitable for plovers, pratincloes, and terns. The existing swamps in the areas below the outfall from the dam support bird species of the reed-beds and shallows. A brief survey in December 1985 recorded about 10,000 ducks near the southern shore of the lake and a further several thousand near the mouth of the Gaj Khad. The majority were Anas platyrhynchos, but significant numbers of A. acuta, A. crecca, and Aythya ferina were also present. Moderate numbers of shorebirds were observed around Dehra and near the mouth of the Gaj Khad, mainly Tringa totanus, T. nebularia, T. ochropus, Actitis hypoleucos, and Calidris temminckii. Other birds present included many herons and egrets (Ardeidae), small numbers ofMycteria leucocephala, Ciconia nigra, and Grus antigone, Porphyrio porphyrio, several Larus ichthyaetus (an uncommon species in Himachal Pradesh), and two red-necked grebes (Podiceps griseigena), a species not previously recorded in India. Innumerable ducks were again present in February 1988, mainly A. crecca, A platyrhynchos, A acuta, and Tadorna ferruginea. The wide variety of raptors present in December 1985 was also noteworthy; these included Pandion haliaetus, Haliaeetus leucoryphus, Circus aeruginosus, and Aquila rapax. As an important new site for waterfowl and other birds associated with wetlands, Pong Dam Lake partly compensates for the drainage of some natural wetland habitats elsewhere in northern India.