Alleged movement of fishing boats and laying of nets in the restricted area of the Pong Dam in lower Kangra, including the right-side barrier and reserve zone of the Pong Dam Reservoir, also known as Maharana Pratap Sagar, has raised security concerns.
About Pong Dam:
The Pong Dam, also known as the Beas Dam, is an earth-fill embankment dam constructed on the river Beas in the wetland of Shivalik hills in the Kangra district of Himachal Pradesh.
The construction of the dam began in the year 1961 and was completed in 1974, and at that time it was known as the tallest of its type in the country.
It was constructed for generating hydroelectricity and for irrigation purposes.
The dam’s spillway is controlled by six radial gates affixed on the southern side of it. The base of the dam contains a powerhouse.
The construction of a dam created an artificial lake called the Maharana Pratap Sagar, after the great ruler of Mewar.
Known widely as the Pong Reservoir or the Pong Dam Lake, it was declared a bird sanctuary in 1983 due to its waterfowl diversity.
Over time, the reservoir emerged as a sanctuary for migratory birds, leading to its designation as a Ramsar Wetland Site in 2002.
It is home to several species of avifauna, some of which include Barheaded Geese, Red-neck Grebe, northern lapwing, common teal, spot-billed duck, Eurasian coot, black stork, egrests, etc.
The lake is also an important fish reservoir that acts as a fish breeding ground for commercial purposes.
The Dhauladhar mountains ensconce the Pong Damlake from all sides.
Since the lake is an extension of the perennial Beas river that flows from the Rohtang Pass, it contains water throughout the year.
Also, the Pong Dam ensures adequate water levels in the lake at all times.
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