Migratory Birds turn Kinnaur’s Kuppa Dam into a Winter haven
Photo used for indicative purpose only. Source: Internet
Artificial lake on Baspa River attracts over 20 bird species, boosting eco-tourism in Sangla Valley
Shimla, Nov 11,
Himachal Pradesh’s remote tribal district of Kinnaur is witnessing a vibrant splash of avian activity this winter as migratory birds from the Trans-Himalayan and upper Himalayan regions descend upon the Kuppa Dam on the Baspa River in Sangla Valley. The man-made reservoir, located near the Rakchham–Chitkul Wildlife Sanctuary, has quietly evolved into a thriving wintering ground, hosting nearly 20 different bird species this season.
According to the Forest Department’s wildlife wing, the Mallard, Eurasian Wigeon, Common Pochard, Common Teal, Northern Shoveler, Northern Pintail, Ibisbill, Gadwall, Brown Dipper, White-capped Redstart, and Plumbeous Water Redstart are among the many migratory visitors now frequenting the area. These birds undertake long seasonal journeys from the frozen lakes and rivers of higher altitudes in search of food and milder conditions during the harsh Himalayan winter.
Deputy Ranger Santosh Thakur explained that the ecological characteristics of Kuppa Dam have made it an inviting refuge.
“The birds feed along the sandy and rocky stretches of the Baspa River on insects, larvae, algae, and aquatic plants. The mild winter climate and steady food supply make this an ideal habitat,” Thakur said.
He added that most species arrive in November and stay until March, returning northward as the snow begins to thaw.
Confirming the growing significance of the site, Forest Officer Ashok Negi from Sarahan said periodic wildlife surveys indicate a steady increase in bird diversity at the dam.
“This year, we’ve documented close to 20 species at Kuppa Dam, which shows that it’s becoming an important wintering zone in the region,” Negi noted.
Wildlife experts believe that new aquatic ecosystems are emerging across the Himalayan belt due to the creation of artificial reservoirs and post-glacial lake transformations triggered by natural processes such as GLOFs (Glacial Lake Outburst Floods). These changes have, in turn, expanded the range of migratory species that earlier avoided the steep terrain of Himachal’s higher valleys.
The growing bird activity around the Kuppa Dam is now also drawing bird watchers, photographers, and eco-tourists, giving the picturesque Sangla Valley an unexpected boost during the otherwise quiet winter season.
Environmentalists, however, caution that this newfound attraction should be managed sustainably to prevent human interference with nesting and feeding areas. For now, though, as snow begins to dust the mountain ridges of Kinnaur, the flutter of wings over the Baspa River signals a promising new chapter for Himachal’s winter ecology and nature tourism.
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