ISLANDS IN THE WETLAND:

Pong contains four main islands viz: Rancer, Karu, kajol ka tapu and Jatta da Kuwal giving panoramic view of the majestic Dhauladhar Mountain ranges . The area of each of these islands fluctuate with the increase or decrease of water level

Rancer Island:

The picturesque Rancer island is a beautiful resting place for the tourists sailing across the lake.The island is accessible only by boat during winter. During June 2003, a good number of waterbirds Viz Cormorants, egrets, herons and cormorants were found  preferring the island for their breeding purposes, a unique observation recorded first time in Pong. The area of the island is about 20 ha and gets extended up to 150 ha during summer.

In the mid of the island there is a forest rest house hidden behind the forest grove of miscellaneous broad leave spps dominated by Zyzyphus,Sisoo, Ficus,Guava, silver oak and bamboo. Its tapering mounds looking like a mound of some ancient civilization commands the whole aquatic and Sanctuary area around the lake. The western side lake view is extremely beautiful overlooking the Karu island which on the background of sunset view is a matter of rare delight. A canoed journey from here to Karu island, Kajol ka Tapu and Jattan da kuwal is a soothing experience.

Karu island:

The island is situated on the western side of Rancer. The island is relatively bigger than the former. The island has two distinct parts, one wooded and hilly with undulatory and moderate to steep slopes( 80 ha) and the other part almost flat( 70 ha).

During monsoon, Karu splits in to mini islands due to up scaling of water. It gets reconnected with the area falling towards Dhameta during winter when the water level recedes. Wooded portion measuring about 80 ha, however remains disjointed whereas flat portion split in to three segments during the rains when water level is at its maximum.  The wooded island have good population of Wild Boar, Peacock, Red Jungle fowl, Pythons, Monitor lizard,Claweless otter etc. The island is accessible by boat by a half an hour journey  from Sansarpur terrace.

Kajol Ka Tapu:

This is a beautiful tiny island  of about 0.5 ha  area, towards south east of Rancer Island . The area is totally barren, almost devoid of vegetation except a rarer and scattered growth of bushes. Although rock and cliff all around look like an animated display of sculptory; an abstract mind and artistic sensibility would surely vale this nature’s jumbling in altogether a different way. This is an ideal site for angling activities.

Jatta Da Kuwal:

To further west of Kajol ka Tapu, a small wooded island of about 1.5 ha area exits. It is about 2.5 Kms from Dam site. During summer it remains generally connected with the main land mass on the side of the dam as also during the time of winter when the water level recedes. During rainy season about 2 ha of area becomes submerged leaving behind only a small ridge visible with gentle to moderate slope. The circumambulatory coast of jattan da Kuwal is an ideal site for angling, water sports and gainful eyes of the riparian birds.

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