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PONG DAM

Last Updated on 12th January, 2024
3 minutes, 9 seconds

Description

PONG DAM

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Context

  • Over 25,000 people displaced by the Pong dam on the Beas river in Himachal Pradesh have been waiting to be relocated for over five decades.
  • Many of them were surviving by farming around the dam region.
  • But a draft policy to declare Pong Dam eco-sensitive zone (ESZ) is likely to impact these oustees again, who are planning to protest against the Union ministry of forest, environment and climate change (MoEFCC ) decision.

About Pong Dam

  • The Pong Dam, also recognized as the Beas Dam, is an embankment dam made of earth located on the Beas River in Himachal Pradesh.
  • Its primary purposes include water storage for irrigation and the generation of hydroelectric power.
  • Construction commenced in 1961, concluding in 1974, making it the tallest dam of its kind in the country at that time.
  • The heightened water level led to the formation of a man-made lake named Maharana Pratap Sagar, named after the prominent Mewar ruler.
  • This lake has gained renown as a bird sanctuary, attracting various species such as the Bar-headed Goose and the Red-necked Grebe.
  • Features
  • The Pong Dam is a 133 m tall and 1,951 m long earth-fill embankment dam with a gravel shell.
  • The dam is 13.72 m wide at its crest, which sits at an elevation of about 435.86 m above sea level.
  • The base of the Pong Dam is about 610 m wide and has a total volume of 35,500,000 metre cube.

Key Facts about Beas River

  • The Beas River is a river in north India
  • Origin: The River rises 4,361 metres above sea-level on the southern face of Rohtang Pass in Kullu, Himachal Pradesh.
  • Course: It flows for some 470 kilometres to the Sutlej River in the Indian state of Punjab.
  • The river was also known as Arjikuja of the Vedas, or Vipasa to the ancient Indians, and the Hyphasis to the Ancient Greeks.
  • Tributaries:
  • The main tributaries are Bain, Banganga, Luni, Uhlal, Awa, Banner, Chakki, Gaj, Harla, Mamuni, Parvati, Patlikuhlal, Sainj, Suketi and Tirthan.
  • The tributaries that branch out in the Northern part are snow fed and hence, perennial.
  • The tributaries down the South are seasonal and get their water from the rains.

PRACTICE QUESTION

Pong Dam, recently seen in the news, lies in which state?

A) Himachal Pradesh

B) Bihar

C) Odihsa

D) Gujrat

Answer: A

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