Pong Dam Wildlife Sanctuary’s One Km Area Declared Eco-Sensitive Zone

Utkarsh Classes Last Updated 27-12-2023

Pong Dam Wildlife Sanctuary’s One Km Area Declared Eco-Sensitive Zone

State news 4 min read

The Union Ministry of Environment and Forests has recently issued a draft notification declaring an area of one kilometer from the boundaries of Pong Dam Wildlife Sanctuary in Kangra district as an eco-sensitive zone.

According to the draft notification, no commercial activity like construction of hotels, resorts or any type of polluting industry will be allowed in the eco-sensitive area around the Pong Dam Sanctuary.
The notification also prohibits installation of overhead electric or communication towers in environmentally sensitive areas.

Pong Dam Lake Wildlife Sanctuary:

Location: Kangra District, Himachal Pradesh.
Pong Dam was built on the Vyas River in 1975.
It is also known as Pong Reservoir or Maharana Pratap Sagar.
In 1983, the entire reservoir was declared a wildlife sanctuary by the Government of Himachal Pradesh.
In 1994, the Government of India declared it a "wetland of national importance".
Pong Dam Lake was declared as a Ramsar site in November 2002.
The climate of the area is subtropical.
Plant kingdom: Eucalyptus, Kikar, Jamun, Shisham, Mango, Mulberry, Sycamore, Kachnar and Amla etc.
Animal world: Kakar (barking deer), Sambar, Wild boar, Nilgai, Leopard and Small clawed otter etc.
Bird Class: Black headed gulls, Red necked grebes, Plovers, Terns, Ducks, Water hens, Herons etc.

National Park located in Himachal Pradesh -

Great Himalayan National Park:

The Great Himalayan National Park, located in the Banjar sub-division of Kullu district, was officially declared a national park in the year 1999.
In the year 2014, it was given the status of UNESCO World Heritage Site for its amazing contribution in biodiversity conservation.

Pin Valley National Park:

Pin Valley National Park is located in Lahaul and Spiti district.
It was established in 1987.

Inderkilla National Park:

Inderkilla National Park is located in Kullu district of Himachal Pradesh.
It was established in the year 2010.

Kheerganga National Park:

Kheerganga National Park is located in Kullu.
It was established in the year 2010.
This national park is situated at an altitude of about 5,500 meters and covers an area of 710 square km. Spread over the area.

Simbalbara National Park:

Simbalbara National Park is located in the Paonta Valley of Sirmaur district.
This national park was established in the year 1958 as Simbalbara Wildlife Sanctuary (9.03 sq. km. area).
In the year 2010, it was converted into a national park covering an additional area of 8.88 square km.