This has not only strengthened the state's biodiversity but also bolstered environmental conservation efforts across the entire country. So far, 178 bird species and 252 plant species have been recorded in the sanctuary.
UP Tourism and Culture Minister Jayveer Singh said here on Monday that the Uttar Pradesh Eco-Tourism Development Board is continuously working towards the conservation of wetlands and the improvement of tourist facilities.
With winter setting in and temperatures dipping to around 15°C in West Burdwan district, migratory birds have begun arriving in the region’s wetlands.
The birds, who flew into the water bodies from places as far off as Siberia, Afghanistan, Iran ,Iraq, Himalayan region, have been leaving in batches almost every day.
He visited Pong Dam on Sunday and also toured the ancient temples at the famous tourist site, Bathu-Ki-Lari.
The winged guests generally fly in from Tibet, China, Mangolia, eastern parts of Europe and Siberia. Many of these also come from Ladakh. Rasik Bill, Mahananda Barrage, Gazoldoba and Nararthali are some of the common places where thousands of migratory fowls of different species normally come in during the first or second week of December every year to spend the winter.
The Geese and ducks were sighted at the highest number of 59,286 followed by Gulls, terns, and skimmer numbering 34,353.
The number of these winged visitors is marginally less than last year due to the avian influenza outbreak, which was first reported on 28 December 2020 in the Pong dam lake wildlife sanctuary
The Asan Conservation reserve is the first wetland from Uttarakhand to get the Ramsar site statues. The reserve got this coveted tag last year. A team of wildlife scientists and bird experts conducted the bird count.
CM says 1,000 dead domestic poultry birds were found dumped in Dharampur and 215 other birds were also found dead in various parts of HP; 65 rapid response teams monitoring the bird flu situation
