New Book on Pong Lake birds called ''Wild Wings'' released

Transcription

1 New Book on Pong Lake birds called ''Wild Wings'' released The Honourable Chief Minister of Himachal Pradesh, Sh. Prem Kumar Dhumal, shared the news of the release of a new book on Pong Lake birds called ''Wild Wings'' on 15 October 2011 by Devinder Singh Dhadwal. According to Mr. Dhadwal, "It took almost two years to complete this book after almost 10 years of research. The book lists 415 species of birds that I recorded in Pong Lake since 2003 and contains 637 pictures that give rich detail of Pong Lake and its biodiversity." The highlights of the book are as follows: It gives the introduction of the lake with pics at different angles. Zonation of Pong and its varied habitats with pictures and maps. Water Dynamism of the lake, species richness and migration pattern of the birds. Breeding birds in the lake: 97 species of birds breed in the lake during summer season. List of Snakes (18 species) and mammals (21 species) with pictures recorded in the lake. Birds: The book lists 415 species recorded by the author since 2003: o o Pictures of birds in sitting, flying posture, juveniles, and more. Rare birds like the Solitary Snipe, Black Necked Grebe, Red necked Grebe, Greater Scaup, White Fronted Goose, Common Shelduck, Curlew Sandpiper, Terek Sandpiper, Nordmann's Greenshank, Grey-tailed Tatler, Common Ringed Plover, Pacific Golden Plover, Ruddy Turnstone, Red necked Phalarope, Broadbilled Sandpiper, Long-toed Stint, Grey Plover, Lesser Sand Plover, Greater Sand Plover, Oriental Plover, Indian Skimmer, Little Gull, Mew Gull and many more. The distribution of birds is specific to Pong Lake, i.e. it gives the detail where one can view the birds at what time of year in Pong. The cost of the book is Rs. 450/-. Interested parties can contact Devinder Dhadwal at dd123.singh@gmail.com or devinder_dhadwal@rediffmail.com Some details: Pong-Wetland: Pong wetland, situated in the Kangra District of Himachal Pradesh, is one of the largest man made wet lands of the northern India formed by the construction of Pong Dam during 1974 across the Beas River. This wetland is the first major wetland which potentially offers a transitory resting reserve for the migratory birds coming from the trans-himalayan zone in the winter season when the wetlands in the Europe and North and Central Asia become frozen due to onset of winters. Flocks of waterfowls that breed in these areas in summer undertake migration to Pong to spend winter in more congenial climatic conditions every year during the winter season from October to March. The total catchments area of Sq.km. extends in Kangra, Mandi and Kullu Districts. This reservoir is 42 Km long and 19 Km wide and has a storage capacity of 7290 million cubic meters. The area of water body varies from 125 Sq Km at minimum water level at 1280 ft in summer season to about 220 Sq Km at the maximum water level of 1390 Feet in rainy season and also leaving behind the maximum draw down area of about 80 Sq Km.

2 The wetland earned the distinction of being among the global class of selected Sites.This is first wetland of the state to have got the global arm of protection and declared a Ramsar Site in the year Dhauladhar Mountains feed the water supply to Pong Lake. Below Pong Dam, a barrage was constructed during at Sathana. From this barrage, Sahanahar canal originates. The total distance of Pong to Barrage is about 4 Km. This barrage constitutes a shallow water body enclosing about 3 Sq Km. The area is a heaven for a variety of migratory birds specific to marshy conditions. Islands in the Wetland: Pong contains five main islands viz: Rancer, Karu, Rajeli, Jatta da Kuwal and Danderh giving panoramic view of the majestic Dhauladhar Mountain ranges. The area of each of these islands fluctuates with the increase or decrease of water level. (Rancer Island view from South) Wetland Habitats: The man made water body has created the following types of habitats in the wetland. I. Mud Flats and Mud Splits: The mud flats and mud splits are formed along the receding shoreline during October to March. Such areas are highly preferred by larks, pipits, wagtails etc. Bar headed geese and ruddy shelducks spend most of their time feeding on the sprouted grains/grass in the draw down areas which is cultivated by local people during winter.

3 II. III. IV. Open Deep Water: Such sites are dominated by grebes, cormorants, gulls and more. Swamps below the Outfall from the Dam: Such swampy conditions are an ideal sites for moorhens, gadwalls, spotbilled ducks, herons, rails and crakes. Shallow Water at the Reservoir Margins: Such areas are an important feeding area for large number of dabbling ducks and waders. These areas attract the largest number of birds in the lake and spread all along the lake except from Dadasiba to Damsite. V. Dry Sand Banks and Loose Stones with Little or No Vegetation: The banks strewn with boulders near the reservoir margins are used by stone curlew, pratincoles and plovers. VI. Open Grasslands and Agricultural Fields on Mild Slopes: The area exposed by the receding water and occupied with native grasses and the rabi crops, especially wheat, attract thousands of birds. VII. Scrub Areas: Such areas are quite common above 1390 MSL and below the woodlands and forest areas towards the wetland. Many species of chats, warblers, babblers, quails and doves are common in these areas. VIII. Open Woodlands and Dense Forests: These areas are found all around the wetland in rehabilitation zones and the islands. The many mesmerizing terrestrial species are found in these areas. In addition, such areas not only maintain the overall health of wetland but enrich the wetland with organic matter like leaves, fruits and twigs. IX. Aquatic Vegetation: These habitats are found mainly along the perennial nallas and khads and very important for aquatic faunal species. Mammals & Reptiles: 21 Mammal species are found in the wetland. 18 Species of snakes are found in the wetland. Water Dynamism, The main player Writing of management plans in P.A s has to be institutionalized and it should not be a management plan by an individual but by a team of experts and sub plans for each separate zone should be prepared with more emphasis on research and monitoring. The water level fluctuates from a maximum level of 1390 MSL to a minimum level of1280 MSL from the month of October to June every year. Therefore, the flora and fauna in general and the total numbers of birds and migratory bird species in particular largely affected because of this uncontrolled/unregulated water fluctuations. It affects the water fowl diversity and their population arrival during the winter season and the breeding habitat of waterfowl during the summer season. BIRDS:

4 A total of 1,186 bird species (12% of the world's avifauna) are currently threatened with global extinction, 182 of which are considered as Critically Endangered and are thus facing a very high risk of complete extinction in the immediate future. Wetlands are particularly important since 20% of the threatened bird species in Asia inhabit wetlands. This is much more than the 10% of globally threatened water birds. Of the major waterbird families, the family Anatidae (the ducks, swans and geese is among the most extensively studied and hold the greatest attraction to man. India has always held the geese in greatest reverence and the ancient scriptures mention that the birds long migratory flight and family loyalties. The Trans-Himalayan migration of the hamsa (Hans),the Barheaded Goose, is mentioned as a religious pilgrimage, though the translation of Sanskrit scripture generally indicates that a hamsa is a swan or flamingo, though neither of them is common in India. MIGRATION: Migration is the most incredible ornithological phenomena and unsolved mystery. Every year in autumn and spring thousands of birds set for long journeys in order to reach its destinations sometimes across continents and oceans. The birds return to the same localities in their summer and winter homes which may be separated by thousands of miles. In some species survival value must be marginal because some of the members migrate whereas others stay back at home like coots. The migratory waterbirds breed in Europe and northern Asia in early summer, when the days are long and food abundant, and raise their young during the short temperate summer. With the approach of autumn, the wetlands where they have bred start freezing and become unsuitable for shelter and adequate food supply. This results in their long southward journeys into warmer tropical conditions until the climate becomes ambient again for their return. It leads to the arrival of millions of waterbirds with the onset of autumn (August to December) to spend the winter in warm subtropical wetlands of the Indian subcontinent. They return again northwards (from March onwards) towards their homing grounds in Eurasia as it warms up again. The first is a major route between Siberia and Central Asia on the northern side and the Indian peninsula in the south.

5 GPS Locations:-GPS LOCATIONS OF IMPORTANT PLACES IS GIVEN. Flying waterfowl seen against the Dauladhar Mountains at Nagrota. HOW TO REACH: 1. Talwara: Talwara is about 2 km from Sansarpur Terrace (good for birding). One has to visit Sansarpur Terrace and Sathana swamps for birds. Dhameta Range office is 20 km from Talwara. 2. Pathankot: Pathan kot is well connected from all means of transport-air, railway and bus. Pathankot is 45 km from Dhameta and 75 km from Nagrota Surian Range forest office. One can visit on the way Guglarha area near Jawali for birding. 3. Dharamshala: Dharashala is 60 km from Nagrota Surian and visitors are advised to come to nearby area Nagrota Surian for birding. The shortest route is through Gagal-Lung. Monolithic Masroor rock temples are on the way to Nagrota Surian. 4. Shimla: Shimla is several km from Nagrota-Surian and the shortest distance is through Bilaspur-Hamirpur-Jawalaji-Dehra. Dehra, Bhatoli Phakorian, Nadpur are some of the good areas for birding before reaching at Nagrota-Surian. Nagrota Surian range office is 30 km from Dehra. 5. Chandigarh: Chandigarh is 250 km from Nagrota Surian and the route is through Nangal, Una, Amb and Dehra. 6. Hoshiarpur: Nagrota Surian is115 km from Hoshiarpur, and Sansarpur Terrace is 75 km from Hoshiarpur. Route to Nagrota Surian is through Gagret, Mubarkpur and Dehra and the route to Dhameta is Gagret, Mubarakpur, Talwara, Pong Dam and Dhameta.