Asan Barrage Bird Sanctuary flanked on the Uttarakhand-Himachal Pradesh border is cocooned near Dhalipur village nestled in the Dehradun district.
Its proximity to Dehradun Valley makes it a popular tourist place to visit. The Asan reservoir is fed from river Asan and the discharge channel of Yamuna through Dhalipur powerhouse.
The reservoir is a minuscule wetland measuring 287.5 metres long, with its river bed raised to an elevated height of 389.4 metres above sea level. The wetland sprawls over 4 sq. km area and has a water level of 403.3 metres.
The area around the reservoir is mushy and is abundant in avifaunal species that lures many bird watchers to visit here.
If you are an avid bird watcher then you will fall in love with this place as birds such as:
One can feast their eyes on birds of prey like Pallas Fishing Eagle, Marsh Harrier, Greater Spotted Eagle, Osprey and Steppe Eagle.
Asan has the privilege of hosting more than thirty-year-old nesting site of the Pallas Fishing Eagle which it re-constructs every winter. While rest of the year this nest is shared by other birds of prey.
During winters, 90% of the water-bird population comprises of these 11 migratory species namely Brahminy Duck, Red-Crested Pochard, Gadwall, Common Pochard, Mallard, Coot, Wigeon, Common Teal, Tufted Duck and Shoveler.
Asan Barrage also spelt- Assan or Aasan Barrage was created in 1967 as a small man-made wetland, on the confluence of two mighty rivers namely Eastern Yamuna and Asan river. Since it is located near Dhalipur Power Plant, therefore, it is referred to as Dhalipur lake.
The barrage is flocked by many birds some of which are globally endangered species that are listed in the IUCN (International Union for the Conservation of Nature and Natural Resources) Red Data Book.
Since the barrage serves as a winter retreat for the trans-Himalayan migratory birds. These feathery pals can be seen here on their way to southern India (October-November) and again on their way back (late February-March).
By the end of October, the sanctuary welcomes the migrants from the Pale arctic region. More than 53 species of water birds have been recorded here and about 19 European and Asian migratory birds have also been spotted.
Experience the adrenaline rush in your veins by engaging in water sports activities offered by GMVN Watersports complex at Asan Barrage. This water sports resort was set up in the year 1994 by Garhwal Mandal Vikas Nigam.
The resort offers a plethora of water sports like water skiing, paddle boating, rowing, kayaking, motor boating and canoeing that attracts many adventurous souls here.
Dehradun – Prem Nagar – Rampura Selakui – Sahaspur – Herbertpur – Assan Barrage Bird Sanctuary
Dehradun– Mussoorie – Bhediyana – Kalsi – Dakpatthar – Vikasnagar – Herbertpur – Assan Barrage Bird Sanctuary
Assan Barrage experiences pleasant climate- Max. 38° C to Min. 14°C temperature during summer.
Monsoon in Assan Barrage is from June to September with 250 cm rainfall.
Winters are exciting for bird lovers with chill weather- Max. 21°C to Min. 2°C during winter.
Winter months are the best suited for indulging in bird watching at Asan Barrage as many migratory birds flock here but, for serious bird watchers other months of the year also offer great opportunities.
One can admire the local migrants like Painted Stork, Open Billed Stork and Nigh Heron from early May to September end. A flock of 25-40 painted storks can also be spotted here every year.
Birds: Greylag, Brahminy, C.Teal, Mallard, C. Pochard
Birds: Gadwall, Wigeon, RC pochard, Tufted
Birds: Pintail, Shoveller
Asan Barrage Bird Sanctuary is located on the confluence of river Yamuna and Asan near Dhalipur village.
It is approximately 42 km west of Dehradun on Dehradun-Paonta road. The sanctuary is only 11 km from Vikasnagar, 22 km from Kalsi and around 66 km away from Chakrata.
Dehradun railway station at 42 km away is the nearest railhead and Jolly Grant airport at 71 km away is the nearest air connectivity.
