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FAUNAL WEALTH OF PONG:
1. AVI FAUNA:
Pong Wetland has been regularly visited by large number of migratory water
fowls. During 2003-04, about 1.36 lacs migratory birds visited the Pong , Since 1999-00, the number and spp. of water
birds arriving for wintering has been steadily increasing. The number of birds
that arrived in pong wetalnd during the last five years.
|
S.No. |
YEARS |
Total number of water-birds counted |
| 1 |
1999-00 |
70,555 |
| 2 |
2000-01 |
81,848 |
| 3 |
2001-02 |
1,14,082 |
| 4 |
2002-03 |
1,15,201 |
| 5 |
2003-04 |
1,36,000 |
| 6 |
2004-05 |
1,42,292 |
| 7 |
2005-06 |
1,36,354 |
| 8 |
2006-07 |
1,11,721 |
| 9 |
2007-08 |
1,00,000 - 1,00,500 |
| 10 |
2008-09 |
95,000 - 1,00,000 |
The Pong wetland has an immense potential for bird watching, ecotourism,
adventure tourism, water sports, angling etc.. Bar headed Geese, Ruddy shelduck,Coots, Cormorants,Pochards, Mallards, Grebes and Moorhen are some of
the important water birds visiting Pong every year. Taxonomically, it has been
identified that this Pong wetland environ supports 366 Species of Avi
fauna( more than 100 species of aquatic and rest are terrestrial
and arboreal birds species)
which belong to 56 families. Bar headed Geese visiting pong,
constitutes more than 45% of the world population. Large congregation of Bar
headed Geese in close association with Rudy shelduck could be easily located
feeding on the sprouted wheat and gram in the nearby fringe areas.
The shore species of Gulls such as Black Headed Gull and Great Black Headed
Gulls are common at Pong Dam Lake indicating the expansion of their habitat to
such remote areas. The Red Headed Grebe was recorded from this reservoir for the
first time in India during December 1985. This gives the area National and
International significance for the conservation of several waterfowls.
2 .ANIMALS AND REPTILES:
The main animal species found in the wetland are Leopard,Nilgai,
Sambhar,Barking Deer, Goral, Wild boar, Monkeys, langoors, Clawless otter and Mongoose. Among
reptiles, Monitor lizard and snakes like Cobras, Pythons and Krait are recorded.
3. FISH DIVERSITY:
Major attraction for the increasing number of migratory birds to visit Pong is
the rich bounty of fish food it contains. Variety of fish such as Mahasher,
katla, Carps,Mirgal, Rahoo, Singhara etc. are found in Pong Dam Lake and its
tributaries. A total of 27 fish species belonging to five families have been
recorded. Pong reservoir may be categorized as a cat fish reservoir. Mahasheer,
Tor putitore is highly precious and the most sought after fish of
Pong reservoir.
The commercial fishing in the wetland, commenced soon after the formation of
Pong reservoir, provides direct employment to about 1500 fishermen.
FLORAL DIVERSITY
FORESTS IN AND AROUND PONG:
The right bank of Beas has meager Forests in small pockets where as on the left
bank from Dehra to Terrace area linear strips of scrubs Forests. There are
several tree species, which produces edible fruits for birds. There is also some
submerged aquatic vegetation in the wetland providing suitable habitat for rare
birds such as Moorhen,Jacana etc. Main tree species of the area are Acacia,
Jamun, Sisoo, Mango, Mulbery, Ficus, Kachnar, Amla, Prunus etc. Apart from these
tree spp. a variety of shrubs viz Adatoda vesica, Indigofera, Dodonea,
Woodfordia, Ziziphus, Maurraya, Euphorbia etc. and grasses Saccharum species,
Cymbopogan species, Eulopsis species etc. and several sub tropical climbers are
also found in these forests.
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