[Himachal GK] Pong Lake Sanctuary

Pong Lake Sanctuary :
Altitude : varies from 335 meters to 435 meters.
Annual Rainfall : mean annual rainfall is 1780 mm.
Temperature : temprature varies from 5 to 44°C.
Area : 30,729 hectares ( 307.29 sq. km. ).
Location : near Dehra-Gopipur.
Approaches : easily approachable from many places.

In 1983, the Sagar was declared a wildlife sanctuary and over 220 species of birds belonging to 54 families have been sighted over the waters and the fringing mud-banks - these include black-headed gulls, plovers, terns, ducks, water-fowl and egrets. Maharana Pratap Sagar Lake is the only place in India other than Bharatpur (Rajasthan) where the rare red necked grabe has been found. The sanctuary is close to several places of Hindu Pilgrimage - Jawalamukhi, Chamunda Devi, Chintpurni, Brajeshwari Devi, Mahakalesar, Bagalamata and Naina Devi. The seat of His Holiness the Dalai Lama at Mcleodganj and the Namgyal Monastery are a short drive away. The other budhist monasteries at hand are Tahijong and Bir.

Flora
The sanctuary is a wetland. Forest Types include dry deciduous scrub, dry bamboo and Himalayan pine forest.

Fauna ( Mammals )
Indian wild Bear, barking Deer, red Indian Fox, Indian hare, Hedgehag,longeared, Jackal, common Langur, Rhesus Macaque, Mongoose, Nilgai, Indian Porcupine and Sambar.

Reptiles
Indian Cobra, Book's Gecko, common Indian monitor and Indian Python.

Fish
Tor Putitora ( Mahasheer ), Wallago Attu ( Mallip ) and Ophiocaphalus.