Neither too cold nor too hot, reduced level of water in the lake along with abundant of food. Such favorable conditions have increased number of migratory birds in the pong lake. This year, the number of migratory birds in the Pong Dam lake has increased by a record 83,555. In the annual water bird count of 2025 in the Pong Sanctuary of the state, 1,53,719 birds of 97 species were recorded, which is the highest number till date. Last year 70,164 birds had arrived.
Apart from Russia and Siberia, birds have arrived in Pong Dam from the mountain ranges located north of the Himalayas, Tibet and Central Asia. This year, the number of Bar Headed Geese birds has increased from 53,458 to 90,959. The special thing is that this time rare species of birds Greater White-fronted Geese, Lesser White-fronted Geese, Red Crested Pochard, Ferruginous Pochard, Pied Avocet, and Northern Lapwing have also been found in the Pong Dam area.
More than 100 experts including the State Forest Department, Mumbai Natural History Society, Wildlife Institute of India, bird lovers, and local people participated in this census completed on 1 February 2025.
CCF Saroj Patel of Forest Department Dharamshala Wildlife Circle said that in the waterfowl census done in the sanctuary at Pong Dam, 144,371 migratory birds (55 species), 7,382 local birds (31 species) and 1,966 other birds (11 species) have been found.
Other major species include European Coot 10,785, Common Pochard 9,692, Common Teal 8,497, Northern Pintail 8,053, Little Corporal 3,520, Eurasian Wigeon 3,464, Pay Lag Geese 2,984, Tufted Pochard 2,331, Northern Shoveler 1,350 and Great Corporal 1,271.
The Forest Department has conducted the annual waterfowl census in Pong Dam Lake Wildlife Sanctuary in collaboration with Mumbai Natural History Society, Wildlife Institute of India and other bird lovers. This year, a record increase in the number of birds has been recorded in Pong Dam. Due to the fall in the water level of the lake, birds got plenty of food and a large number of birds arrived here and stayed for a long time.