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Fishing Boats in Restricted Zone of Pong Dam Reservoir Raise Security Concerns
Alleged movement of fishing boats and laying of nets in the restricted area of the Pong Dam Reservoir, including the right-side barrier and reserve zone in lower Kangra, raises security concerns. The restricted-zone issue brings attention to the Pong Dam Reservoir, also known as Maharana Pratap Sagar.
Pong Dam:
| Dimension | Key Details |
|---|---|
| Also known as | Pong Dam is also known as the Beas Dam, and the Pong Dam Reservoir is also known as Maharana Pratap Sagar. |
| Dam type and location | Pong Dam is an earth-fill embankment dam constructed on the river Beas in the wetland of Shivalik hills in the Kangra district of Himachal Pradesh. |
| Construction timeline | Construction of the dam begins in 1961 and is completed in 1974. |
| Status at completion | It is known as the tallest of its type in the country at the time of completion. |
| Dimensions | The height of the dam is close to 133 m, and the width at the bottom remains 610 m. |
| Purposes | It is constructed for generating hydroelectricity and for irrigation purposes. |
| Spillway control | The dam’s spillway is controlled by 6 radial gates affixed on the southern side of it. |
| Powerhouse | The base of the dam contains a powerhouse. |
| Artificial lake created | The construction of the dam creates an artificial lake called the Maharana Pratap Sagar, known widely as the Pong Reservoir or the Pong Dam Lake. |
| Protected area recognitions | The reservoir has been declared a bird sanctuary in 1983 due to its waterfowl diversity, and it has been designated as a Ramsar Wetland Site in 2002. |
| Avifauna | It is home to several species of avifauna, including Barheaded Geese, Red-neck Grebe, northern lapwing, common teal, spot-billed duck, Eurasian coot, black stork, and egrests. |
| Area | The lake sprawls over an area of over 240 sq.km. |
| Fishery significance | The lake is an important fish reservoir that acts as a fish breeding ground for commercial purposes. |
| Surrounding geography | The Dhauladhar mountains ensconce the Pong Dam lake from all sides. |
| Hydrology | Since the lake is an extension of the perennial Beas river that flows from the Rohtang Pass, it contains water throughout the year. |
| Water-level assurance | The Pong Dam ensures adequate water levels in the lake at all times. |