1,27,200 winged visitors at Pong wetland this year
The Principal Chief Conservator of Forests (PCCF) said it had been concluded that 1,27,200 wetland birds of 93 different species had visited the Pong Dam lake this year. Dominant species like bar-headed goose (52,530), common coot (15,632), northern pintail (11,470), common teal (10,284), common pochards (8,746), little cormorants (6,434), tufted pochard (3,838), northern shoveller (2,350) and ruddy shelduck (1,900) were noticed this year.
DS Dadwal, DFO (Wildlife), Dharamsala, said other rare species recorded in the lake were common shelduck (22), greater white fronted geese (73), black bellied tern (2), sarus crane (8), osprey (7) and black necked stork (4) which are uncommon winter visitors in other Indian wetlands. Other noticeable species were great crested grebe, greylag goose, red crested pochard, ferruginous pochard, common merganser, eurasian spoonbill, richard’s pipit, blyth’s pipit and many species of larks.
The number of wetland birds and wetland bird species have increased as compared to last year when the total count was recorded at 1,05,000 of 87 species.
Most of these birds migrate from their breeding places in trans-Himalaya region in Tibet, Central Asia, Russia and Siberia. Over the last few years, the Pong Dam lake, also a Ramsar site, has become an ideal destination for winter sojourn for many species of migratory birds.
Over 425 species of birds, 18 species of snakes, 95 species of butterflies, 24 species of mammals, 27 species of fishes have so far been recorded at the Pong and that is attributed to the varied habitats, available food and extended protection by the staff of wildlife wing involving local communities.
The annual waterfowl estimation exercise was carried out today for monitoring the numerical size of visitor migratory bird population for the year 2016-17 in Pong Dam Lake Wildlife Sanctuary. Experts from various organisations and bird groups, including Himachal Bird Club, Asian Water Fowl Census (AWC), Wildlife Conservation Society (WCS) and many wildlife enthusiasts, bird watchers, volunteers along with officials and officers from the Forest Department, participated in this mega exercise. The entire Pong Dam lake wildlife sanctuary was divided into 24 sections. About 105 persons participated in this exercise. Each section was thoroughly traversed on land and water by a team of 3-6 members headed by an expert.
Tribune News Service
Dharamsala, January 29
The annual waterfowl estimation exercise carried out in Pong Dam wetland revealed that this year 1,27,200 birds visited the biggest and internationally recognised wetland this year.
