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India’s first conservation reserve
Asan Conservation Reserve, also known as Asan barrage, is a captivating water body with hues of blue and green, located approximately 43 km away from Dehradun.
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Asan Barrage is an artificial lake located in Uttarakhand, about 11 km (7 mi) from Dakpathar (Dehradaun). It was built across the Asan River to provide irrigation water to the surrounding farmlands.
Image Source: Various Soical Sites
The construction of the barrage was completed in 1967, and since then, it has become a popular tourist destination for bird-watching and water sports activities like boating and rafting.
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Northern Pintail
Asan Barrage or Asan Conservation Reserve is one of the region's most popular bird-watching sites, nature-lovers and birding enthusiasts can be seen training their lenses on winged beauties here.
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Common Coot
Located in the Dehradun district, this serene natural expanse sits at the picturesque junction of the Yamuna and Asan rivers. India’s first conservation reserve, established in 2005
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Gadwall
Spread across an area of 4.5 square kilometers, this site has recently been designated as Uttarakhand's first Ramsar site, indicating its status as a "Wetland of International Importance."
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KIngfisher
Asan is also listed as an Important Bird Area (BNHS and BirdLife International) and is popular for sightings of native and migratory birds.
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Indian Cormorant
Asan receives about 40 migratory bird species, including rudy shelduck, common coot, gadwall, kingfisher, Indian cormorant, baer’s pochard, northern pintail, bar-headed goose among others. it is one of the most well-known sites for congregations of brahminy ducks.
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Brahminy Duck
The best bird-watching season here is winter, from November to February. There are demarcated routes inside the reserve for tourists and nature-lovers. Eco-huts have also been set up in the area.
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Baers Pochard
The barrage is also popular for water sports. The GMVN water sports complex here offers facilities for rowing, paddle boating, kayaking, water skiing, motor boating. All equipment required or these sports are available for hire.
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Nearest airport: Jolly Grant (70 km). Nearest railway station: Dehradun (40 km). Barrage connected by roads to nearby Haridwar, Rishikesh, and Dehradun.
Image Source: Various Soical Sites
While the bird sanctuary remains open all year round, the period from October to April is considered the prime season for bird-watching.