Dharamshala, Feb. 4 -- The Pong Dam wetland, nestled in the picturesque Kangra valley of Himachal Pradesh, has witnessed an unprecedented surge in bird numbers this year, with over 1.53 lakh waterfowl flocking to the wetland.

As many as 1,53,719 birds, of 97 species, were recorded this year, reveal the annual waterbird count. It includes 1,44,371 migratory birds of 55 species, 7,382 resident birds of 31 species and 1,966 birds of 11 other species. This marks the highest count ever recorded in the history of the annual bird census at Pong which began in 2004.

The lake, a designated Ramsar site, has become an ideal destination for wintering migratory birds from the Trans-Himalayan region, Tibet, Central Asia, Russia and Siberia. Also, the...