Migratory birds face a winter of peril, carcasses found along Pong Lake

The frequent deaths of migratory birds at the Pong Dam Lake in Kangra district have become a cause for concern, which has cast a shadow over the credibility of one of northern India’s most celebrated wetland sanctuaries. These birds, which cover thousands of kilometres and cross the formidable Himalayas every winter, arrive at Pong seeking refuge, warmth and food. What they are encountering instead is a landscape fraught with danger.

Declared a wildlife sanctuary, the Pong Lake is supposed to offer a safe haven to them. Yet, the growing number of bird carcasses found along its shoreline raises an uncomfortable question: how secure is this sanctuary in reality? The situation highlights a troubling gap between the official assurances of protection and the harsh conditions faced by the migratory birds on the ground.

This winter, the birds are struggling more than usual. An unusually-prolonged dry spell has disrupted the wetland ecosystem, stripping it of tender saplings and depleting natural food sources. With feeding grounds shrinking, flocks are being forced to move beyond their usual zones in search of sustenance. These movements increase their exposure to threats, ranging from predators to human-induced hazards.

Birdwatchers and wildlife enthusiasts point towards illegal cultivation around the lake as a major risk. Croplands bordering the sanctuary often use pesticides and birds straying into these fields may ingest toxic substances. There are also a persistent suspicion of illegal hunting, though conclusive evidence remains elusive. Together, these factors create a lethal environment for birds already weakened by food scarcity.

Another worrying dimension is predation within the sanctuary itself. Locals frequently report attacks by jackals, feral dogs and their hybrids, which inhabit dense bushes along the lake’s periphery. Feathers and partially eaten carcasses scattered across the shoreline offer stark visual evidence of these attacks, raising serious doubts about the adequacy of monitoring and control measures.

Reginald Roiston, Divisional Forest Officer (Wildlife), Hamirpur, who oversees the lake, told The Tribune that stray dogs, jackals and their crossbreeds had been identified as responsible, based on morphological assessment. He added that the matter had been taken up with the Animal Husbandry Department to capture and relocate these canines from the sanctuary area.

Despite claims that crores of rupees are spent on conservation and supplementary feeding, the situation on the ground tells a different story. Media attention triggers swift responses, but enforcement and follow-through often fade within days, allowing the cycle to repeat.

If migratory birds continue to face threats in a notified sanctuary, accountability cannot be evaded. Unchecked, these deaths may eventually drive the birds away from Pong, depriving the region of a priceless ecological and cultural spectacle. Decisive, sustained action is needed before a sanctuary meant to protect life becomes synonymous with neglect and loss.