Shimla, Nov 10 (UNI) Himachal Pradesh’s tribal district of Kinnaur has become a new heaven for migratory birds arriving from the Trans-Himalayan regions after covering long distances in search of food and suitable habitat during winter.
The Kuppa Dam on the Baspa River in Sangla valley, located near the Rakchham–Chitkul Wildlife Sanctuary, has emerged as a prime wintering site, attracting around 20 species of migratory birds this season.
According to the Forest Department’s wildlife wing, species such as the Mallard, Eurasian Wigeon, Common Pochard, Common Teal, Northern Shoveler, Northern Pintail, Ibisbill, Gadwall, Brown Dipper, White-capped Redstart, and Plumbeous Water Redstart have been sighted at the dam.
These birds migrate annually from the upper Himalayan and Trans-Himalayan zones when high-altitude rivers and lakes freeze, making survival difficult. Deputy Ranger Santosh Thakur said that Kuppa Dam has become an ideal habitat due to its mild winter conditions and rich food availability.
“The birds feed along the sandy and rocky banks of the Baspa River on insects, larvae, algae, and aquatic plants. There is no shortage of food here,” he said, adding that they remain in the area from November to March, before returning northward as snow begins to melt.
Forest Officer Ashok Negi from Sarahan confirmed that the department’s periodic wildlife surveys have recorded a steady rise in migratory bird presence. “This year, nearly 20 species have been documented at the Kuppa Dam,” he said.
Experts point out that the formation of artificial lakes and dams in the Himalayan belt, along with the ecological effects of glacial lake outburst floods (GLOFs), has created new aquatic ecosystems that attract these migratory birds in large numbers.
The increasing bird activity is now drawing bird watchers and tourists, offering a new recreational attraction in Kinnaur’s scenic Sangla Valley.
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