DHARAMSHALA: The Pong wetland in Kangra district is hosting greater flamingos for the first time ever. What’s more, the forest and wildlife department of Himachal Pradesh has noticed an increase in number of migratory birds at the lake area. The increase in the count was noticed during routine weekly exercises.It is during winters that migratory birds arrive here after waters in their homelands freeze. They start returning to their places during the first week of February or end of January depending on the weather. The department officials say that three species of the birds have come here for the first time during winters.The department said that during the count on December 21, 2018, there were 52,845 of 44 different species at the wetland. It then increased to 56,360 from 49 species in last week of December.During the third and fourth week of December, three species — greater flamingo , pied avocet, and white tailed lapwing — were seen for the first time in winter season at this pong wetland.“Three species are here for the first time during winters. The majority of the population of migratory birds is bar headed goose, northern pintail and common coot,” said conservator (wildlife) Pardeep Thakur here. Final bird count will be released near January end.High altitude bird species from China, Tibet, Mongolia , Iraq and Pakistan descend at Pong Wetland every winter beginning October or November. Pong Lake is spread over 307 square km. It was declared a bird sanctuary in 1983, given the status of wetland of national importance in 1994, and identified as a Unesco Ramsar site in 2002.The highest bird count recorded here is 1.5 lakh of over 425 species. In addition, 18 species of snakes and 95 of butterflies have also been recorded in the wetland.

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