Conservation Reserves

Beas River Conservation Reserve

This Conservation Reserve is situated in River Beas and is spread over River Beas with all its water channels from 52 Head Talwara to Harike Barrage including all Government areas in river Beas. This area was declared as Conservation Reserve. Notification No. 34/13/2017-Ft- 5/1052756/1 dated 29.8.2017 under section 36A of Wildlife (Protection) Act, 1972

District
: River Beas
Location
: 52 Head Talwara to Harike Barrage
Area
: River Beas with all its water channels from 52 Head Talwara to Harike Barrage including all Government areas in river Beas.
Status of Land
: Government
Important Fauna
Beas conservation reserve hosts the only population of Indus river dolphins (Platanista gangetica minor) in India. The conservation reserve also has a gharial (Gavialis gangeticus) re-introduction programme to repopulate the river with gharial more than thirty years after their disappearance.ninety Four gharial have been reintroduced near village Gagdewal and Wazir Bhullar. The smooth-coated otter (Lutrogale perspicillata) is another rare and important species, which is found in waters of River Beas. The terrestrial fauna of the conservation reserve includes hog deer (Axis porcinus), blue bull (Bosela phustragocamelus) and wild pig (Sus scrofa). The River Beas provides vital habitats for more than 500 species of birds and particularly is an important staging area for both summer and winter migratory water birds. The river supports species of freshwater turtles (Indian softshell turtle, Indian flapshell turtle, narrow-headed softshell turtle, spotted pond turtle, crowned river turtle and brown roofed turtle). The River Beas and Harike wildlife sanctuary together support more than 90 species of fishes.c.
Important Flora
In the Beas Conservation Reserve there is extensive growth of Typha elephantina and Phragmites karka along the riverbanks, and in the surrounding low-lying areas. Of the free-floating plants, Azolla occurs in patches of open water. Among the floating rooted plants, Nelumbo nucifera grows extensively in marshy areas of the wetland. Submerged plants such as Hydrilla verticillata, Potamogeton crispus, Vallisneria sp., Ceratophyllum demersum and Chara sp are commonly found, while the semi-woody Ipomoea fistulosa is observed growing on the islands in the lake. Amongst the tall grasses Saccharum spontaneum and S. benghalensis are the most common along the higher ground in the wetland area and on the slopes and margins of surrounding bunds and dykes. Tamarix diocia is the sole woody plant truly adapted to an aquatic habitat found in wetland areas. The rest of the trees are upland species which include Acacia arabica, Dalbergia sissoo, Prosopis juliflora and are usually found growing on elevated or occasionally flooded parts of the landscape.

Reach Us

Beas River Wild Life Documentary

Close Search Window