Context:
The 2025 annual bird count at Pong Dam Lake Wildlife Sanctuary shows a notable rise in the waterfowl population.
Key Findings:
- Significant increase in waterfowl population.
- 1,53,719 birds documented from 97 species.
- Unprecedented surge in migratory bird numbers.
- Bar-headed Geese population witnessed a sharp rise.
Pong Dam Lake Wildlife Sanctuary:
- Man-made reservoir formed by Pong Dam on the Beas River
- Also known as Maharana Pratap Sagar
- Location: Wetland zone of Shivalik hills in Himachal Pradesh
- Ecological Importance:
- Declared a “Wetland of National Importance” in 1994
- Designated as a Ramsar site in 2002
- Flora of Pong Dam Lake:
- Vegetation includes submerged vegetation, grasslands, and forests
- Dominant tree species: eucalyptus, acacia, and shisham
Beas River:
- Origin:
- Originates from Beas Kund, near Rohtang Pass in the Dhauladhar Range, Himachal Pradesh
- One of the five rivers that give Punjab its name (“Punjab” means “Land of Five Rivers”)
- Course:
- Flows through Himachal Pradesh and Punjab
- Confluence:
- Meets the Sutlej River at Harike Wetland in Punjab
- Harike Wetland is a Ramsar Site and a crucial habitat for migratory birds
- Major Tributaries:
- Left Bank Tributaries: Bain, Banganga, Chakki
- Right Bank Tributaries: Uhl, Luni, Gaj, Suketi
Bar-headed Geese (Anser indicus):
- High-altitude migratory birds.
- Known for long-distance migration between Central Asia and Indian subcontinent.
- Migrate twice a year: wintering in India (Oct-Mar) and breeding in Central Asia (Apr-Sep).
- Physical Characteristics:
- Distinctive black bars on their white heads.
- Lightweight body with efficient respiratory system.
- Special Behaviour:
- Fly over the Himalayas, reaching altitudes of up to 7,000 meters.
- One of the highest-flying birds, capable of crossing Mount Everest.
- Capable of transporting and consuming oxygen at high rates in hypoxia (a condition in which the body’s tissues are starved of oxygen), distinguishing this species
- Conservation Status:
- Listed as Least Concern by IUCN.
- Protected under Wildlife Protection Act, 1972 in India.
- Ecological & Cultural Significance:
- Featured in folklore and mythology of Himalayan regions.
- Seed dispersers aiding in plant propagation.
- Indicators of wetland health due to their sensitivity to habitat changes.
Source: Indian Express
Previous Year Question
Consider the following statements regarding the Indian squirrels:
1. They build nests by making burrows in the ground.
2. They store their food materials like nuts and seeds in the ground.
3. They are omnivorous.
How many of the above statements are correct?
[UPSC Civil Services Exam – 2023 Prelims]
(a) Only one
(b) Only two
(c) All three
(d) None
Answer: (a)
Explanation:
Indian squirrels are arboreal, living in trees and building nests in branches rather than burrowing underground, making statement 1 incorrect.