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About Asan
Barrage Bird Watching Sanctuary
The Asan reservoir attracts 53 species of water birds of which 19 are
winter migrants from Eurasia. During winter months 90% of the
waterbird population comprises the following 11 migratory species,
namel y
Brahminy Duck, Pintail, Red Crested Pochard, Gadwall, Common Pochard,
Mallard, Coot, Wigeon, Common Teal, Tufted Duck, and Shoveller.
A Bird Watchers Paradise
The Asan Barrage, popularly known as Dhalipur lake, was created in the
year 1967 as a result of the construction of Asan barrage at the
confluence of the river Yamuna & Asan through Dhalipur power house.
Asan Barrage is famous for bird watching.
Topography
The Asan Reservoir is a small man-made wetland of ca. 4 sq km area,
located 40 km west of Dehradun, in the west of Dehradun valley on
Dehradun-Paonta road. Geographically it is situated between latitude
30o 24'-30o 28' N and longitude 77o 40'-77o 44' E, near the confluence
of the rivers Asan and Yamuna. The barrage is 287.5 m long, the river
bed being 389.4 m above sea level, with minimum and maximum water
levels respectively at 402.4 m and 403.3 m asl.
The Asan reservoir exists throughout the year and is fed from the
river Asan and the discharge channel of Yamuna through Dhalipur
powerhouse. Although the water level is controlled, it often goes
down, and swampy islands in the middle become visible, attracting a
variety of marsh-loving birds like Egrets, Herons and Lapwings, etc.
Climate:
The reservoir has a typical North Indian monsoon climate, with
distinct summer and winter months.
T emperature:
summer, max.38o C, min. 14o C;
winter max. 21o C, min. 2o C;
Average Rainfall 250 cm; South West monsoon during June to September.
Vegetation & Flora
The aquatic vegetation of the reservoir consists of Eichhornia
crassips, Potamogeton pectinatus, Typha elephantina, and Ceratophyllum
demersum. The surrounding bushes include Xanthium strumarium, Eclipta
prostrata, Ipomoea sp., Mimosa pudica, Achyranthus aspera, Polygonum
glabrum, P. lanigerum, Aeschynomene sp., Ageratum conyzoides,
phyllanthus sp., Monochoria hastata, Mosla dianthera, and Lantana
camara. On the southern side, agricultural fields surround the
barrage. Further south there is mixed forest in Siwaliks comprising
principally Shorea robusta, Anogeissus Latifolia, Lannea coromandelica,
Dalbergia sissoo, and Bombax ceiba.
Birding Season:
Arrival & Departure
October November December March-end
Or Early April, Sometimes April- end
Access:
Road: The peripheral road has become a preferred route from
Himachal, Punjab, Haryana and Chandigarh resulting in great traffic |
