Historical Kangra , sheltered to the north by the snow capped Dhauladhar range is endowed with much more than mountains temples and forts alone. This fertile hilly district becomes the annual home to tens of thousands of migratory birds every year. Set amidst the ancient, lightly forested Shivalik Hills, Pong Dam named Maharana Pratap Sagar, creates one of the mot important wetlands in Northwest India.

The reservoir was formed in the 1970s by the construction of a large dam created to numerate power regulate the supply of irrigation water to Rajasthan, and lastly to control monsoon flooding in the Punjab Maharana Pratap Sagar Reservoir with its every fluctuating water levels has coincidentally become a haven for migratory birds at a time when other wetlands in South Asia are under various threats.

For the survival of many migratory water birds from Russia, Siberia, and Central Asia, Maharana Pratap Sagar Wetland plays a vital rove as the winter habitat from multiple percentages of whole population of certain species, The muddy shores and fileds are the winter home for up to 10000 Bar headed geese that breed and summer on the Tibetan plateau.

Ducks from Russia and Siberia such as Northern Pintail, Common Teal and Eurasian Wigeon winter here in numbers raging from thousands to tens of thousands, The addition of various exotic species such as Ferruginous Duck Red crested Packard and Purple Swamp hen make this scenic wetland a paradise for both birders and nature lovers.

Shivalik hills and heritage villages

Maharana Pratap Sagar Westland’s is situated at an altitude of 350 to 500 meters in the Shivaliks, a range that rose out of the indo Brahm River about a million years ago and pre dated the Himalayan range to its north. The zone is hot in summer and mild in winter, with rugged ridges, forested glades and streams cutting through valleys and canyons, Slate roofed farmhouses of mud brick and stone are clustered into picturesque villages amidst fields and groves, while a narrow gauge train winds though the landscape and still from the main transport lifeline of the area.

Forts and Temple 

The hilltops and ridges are also the setting for numerous forts and temples, Kangra town 25 km from Maharana Pratap Sagar Wetland, looks over the ruins of impressive historic Kangra Fort once the stronghold of the Rajas of Kangra. Nearer the like the towering remains of the Haripur Fort overlook the Bangaga Rier where it empties into the lake while the ruins of a third for stand majestically mid lake on the shore of Rajas of Kangra.

Globally threatened birds

Tern, Ferruginous Duck and Indian Skimmer Kangra district is also one of the few places in India where vultures are still seen in large numbers after dramatic deciles in most parts of India.

Seasons of Visit : The weather as well as the concentrations of water birds is the best from November to March while the serious birder will find many additional often exotic species during April May and September, October . In May and June temperatures can rise above 40c while winter months have crisp nights. Monsoon rainfall is heavy and continuous from July till September.
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