ABHA (About Best Himalayan Adventures) – July 2019

(sharon) #1

A pair of ruddy shelducks


advertiser, mentioned about accommodation
available at Nagrota. It was a bright spot.

I called up the department to reserve the
accommodation. After talking to a few officials
on different numbers, truth was revealed:
Accommodation was not ready. If I rely on local
whispers, the advertisement was given because
the ad agency and the advertiser were friends and
the former wanted business.

I dug the Web again. The discouraging
accommodation scene could not ruin the plan
this time as I found three new accommodations,
two in Katrah and one in Nagrota Surian. Even
though this time Basunti Retreat replied yet not
affirmatively. The representative of the Retreat
wrote it entertained only groups during the
season starting in April. I selected one of the
accommodations in Katrah.

Pong Lake Wetland


Pong Lake Wetland is an offshoot of the Pong Dam built across the
Beas river in 1974. The man-made lake supports migratory birds
from the trans-Himalayan zone during winter. They migrate from
the frozen wetlands of Central and North Asia and Europe. A variety
of birds arrive in October and leave Pong in March. One of the
largest wetlands covering 19km by 42km area sits in three districts
Kangra, Kullu, and Mandi.

The lake was recognized as Ramsar Site in 2002. The Ramsar
convention is an international agreement signed in Ramsar, an
Iranian town, in 1970s to conserve wetlands used by migratory
waterfowls. The convention recognizes, lists, and helps wetlands of
international importance.

Dhauladhar Mountains not only makes a charming backdrop of the
lake but also supplies water. Five-six islands add color to the gray
surface of the lake. The sizes of the islands change with the season
that controls the water level.

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