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SANCTUARY SPOTLIGHT
Harike Pattan Sanctuary
The Harike lake was created when, in 1953, a barrage was built over the confluence of the Sutlej and the Beas. The barge connects Amritsar with Ferozepur, Faridkot and Bhatinda through a National Highway. The water body, with its shallow marshy tracts, soon became the perfect feeding and wading habitat for a wide variety of birds.
In 1982, it was officially declared a bird sanctuary and extended to an area of 86 sq km. In 1992, it was declared a Ramsar site (a statutory Nature conservation designation). It has been identified as one of the sites for conservation under the Indian National Wetland Programme.
It is today a vital staging post and winter home to waterfowl, including some globally threatened species. In winter, some 200 species of birds visit the place.
Some of the birds that can be spotted are the Cotton Pygmy Goose, Tufted Duck, Yellow-crowned Woodpecker, Yellow-eyed Pigeon, Watercock, Pallas's Gull, Brown-headed Gull, Black-headed Gull, Yellow-legged Gull, Indian Skimmer, White-winged Tern, White-rumped Vulture, Hen Harrier, Eurasian Sparrowhawk, Eurasian Hobby, Horned Grebe, Black-necked Grebe, Great Crested Grebe, White-browed Fantail, Brown Shrike, Common Woodshrike, White-tailed Stonechat, White-crowned Penduline Tit, Rufous-vented Prinia, Striated Grassbird, Cetti's Bush Warbler, the Sulphur-bellied Warbler and Diving duck.
The sanctuary is home to the endangered Testudine Turtle and Smooth Indian Otter listed in the IUCN (The International Union for the Conservation of Nature and Natural Resources) Red list of Threatened Animals. Harike is well-known for its market for sweet water fish.
Best time to visit: Between November and March
How to get there:
The nearest railway station and airport are both at Amritsar (60 km away).
Places to stay: There are any number of government-approved hotels at Amritsar.
Contact: Tourist Officer, Amritsar, 0183-2402452
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