Declared a bird sanctuary in August 1982, for almost a decade Harike has been
the central point for bird observations in Punjab. This 4,100 ha, man-made reservoir
created at the confluence of the Sutlej and Bens rivers, is the chief water source
for the ambitions Rajasthan Canal Project. Much of the area is carpeted with floating
vegetation and mom than a dozen islands dot the lake. This is N. an important
fishing zone for the region. If properly developed and managed, Harike could become
a popular outdoor recreation centre and natural history education station. Unfortunately
this has not been so, and the lake has been deteriorating over the past few years,
shrinking due to heavy siltation and expanding, encroaching agricultural lands.
Hyacinth now clogs its surface. Over-exploitation of fish and poaching for waterfowl
are serious problems as well.
Harike is an important wintering and staging area for waterfowl in the northwestern
region of the country. At the peak of the migratory season between mid-October
and mid-January, well over 200,000 ducks have been recorded here. Resident water
birds such as common, darters, spoonbills, ibises, herons and egrets are also
present in large numbers. Otters. jungle cats std wild boar constitute the mammadian
life hem. More than 15 species of fish have been identified.