Maharana Pratap Sagar (also known as Pong Dam Reservoir) is a reservoir named in the honour of the patriot Maharana Pratap (1572 – 1597 AD). It is located in the Kangra district of the state of Himachal Pradesh, in India. The sagar was made a reservoir in the 1970s by the construction of a dam in a wetland zone in the Siwalik Hills at an altitude of 350 to 500 m where it is hot in the summers and mild in the winters. Surrounding the reservoir are rugged ridges and mountain streams cutting through valleys.

Location

In district Kangra. 170 km from Chandigarh, 110 km from Amritsar, 55 km from the district headquarters at Dharamshala. The closest railway stations are at Mukerian – 30 km, and Pathankot – 32 km.The settlements of Nagrota Surian and Jawali – which are located on the Sagar’s periphery – are connected by the charming narrow gauge Kangra Railway Line that connects Pathankot to Jogindernagar. The closest airport is at Gaggal – 40 km. The lake is well served by a network of roads. Named in the honour of the great patriot Maharan Pratap, the Maharana Pratap Sagar was once known as the Pong Dam Reservoir. India knows the Maharan as a man who struggled valiantly for his knigdom of Mewar – as for the principle of independence. It is made of Beas River. In 1960, a dam was built on the Beas river and this dam resulted in a huge Maharana Pratap Sagar Lake (once known as Pong Lake). This huge mass of water varies from 180 sq. km. to 400 sq. km. This lake was declared sanctuary in 1983. Maharana Pratap Sagar Lake has emerged as favourite place of many migratory birds. About 16 to 20 thousand migratory birds, belonging to 54 species, visit the lake every year. . The Dam was completed in 1976. Its reservoir has an area of about 45,000 hectares at maximum possible flooding – the level varies with every season and averages around 30,000 hectares. Over 200 villages with a population of over 85,000 people lie along the wetland.Maharana Pratap Sagaris located at 32 degrees North and 76 degrees East in the Kangra district of the state of Himachal Pradesh, in India. The closest railway stations are:-Mukerian-30 kmPathankot- 32 km Rail link between Mukerian and Talwara township has been removed by the project authorities after completion of the dam. Now it is connected by road only from Mukerian.

Distance from the main cities:-

Distance from Chandigarh:- 170 km Distance from Amritsar:- 110 km Distance from Dharamsala:- 55 km Distance from Kangra:- 25 km It is well connected by road. The closest airport is Gaggal- 40 km. Distance from Bharmar:- 10 Km Bharmar is Known as a Bharmar Shivothan.

Species found here

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 land portion of the sanctuary has barking deer, sambar, wild boars, nilgai, leopards and claw-less otters. 27 species and sub-species of fish belonging to six families have been recorded in the Sagar’s waters. Some of the important commercial varities are – Labeo Dero (Gid), Labeo Rohita, Labeo Calbasu, Tor Putitora (Mahasheer) and Mystus Seenghala (Singhara). Since 1976, fishing has been a major economic activity in the area and today, this provides employment to more than 1,500 fishermen and the annual catch is valued at over a crore rupees. There is a branch of the Directorate of Mountaineering and Aliied Sports at the Sagar and year-round activities include swimming, water-skiing, surfing, kayaking, rowing, canoeing and sailing. The Directorate of Tourism and Civil Aviation providesequipment at the Sagar – this includes sail boats, paddle boats, speed aero boats, life buoys, water scooters, speed boars, rafts, life jackets, water skis and wet suits. Various courses – beginner, intermediate and advanced – are also conducted at the Sagar.

Attractions for Today and Tomorrow

The Maharana Pratap Sagar is planned as a pivotal developmental and conservation project. Apart from drawing visitors for bird-watching, water sports and angling, plans are afoot to create a snake park, an aquarium, and to launch luxury cruises with cabins at the Sagar. There are several large islands in this inland sea which are also being developed – and the options being explored, include island resorts, golf courses, health and meditation centres and sighting points for bird-watching. Expansion and strenghthening of water-sports, fishing and para-gliding activities are planned – this includes the purchase of additional equipment, training of local youth to establish a strong human resource base and the provision of comprehensive facilities. In the coming years, the Sagar is expected to emerge as a major nucleus of tourism related activity in the region – and the Himachal Pradesh Tourism Development Corporation has already started construction of a large resort with a wide range of facilities at the Sagar.

Existing Accomodations

Hotels, Guest House, Forest and PWD Rest Houses are available at nearby Dharamshala, Dehra, Sansarpur, Terrace, Dada Siba and Nagrota Surian.

Other Attractions

The sagar 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. The Kangra area is regarded as amongst the best in this part of the world for para-gliding. There are many sites of architectural importance, old forts and places that are close to the Sagar. For example, the fort of Kangra, Mangarh, abd Tira (Sujanpur) and the Monolithic temple of Masrur. The area was the cradle of the Kangra school of miniature painting. Near the Sagar is Hamirpur-Guler which was a major centre of the art. There are rare exhibits at the Kangra Art Gallery at Dharamshala.The area has several trek routes for which the Sagar can act as the base camp.