Kangra, October 17, 2025 — Tourists visiting Pong Dam, one of India’s largest man-made reservoirs in Himachal Pradesh’s Kangra district, will soon be able to enjoy Shikara rides, pedal boating, and a floating bird-watching deck as water sports activities gain momentum in the area.
The Kangra Water Sports and Allied Activities Society has finalised an operator to manage water-based recreational activities in a designated zone of the dam. The site, covering roughly two square kilometres, falls under the Atal Bihari Vajpayee Institute of Mountaineering and Allied Sports (ABVIMAS), which currently conducts water sports training. The area is leased to ABVIMAS by the Bhakra Beas Management Board (BBMB).
District tourism development officer Vinay Dhiman said, “The operator has been selected, and the technical committee has inspected all equipment. Only the certification process is pending, which will be completed shortly. Once certification is done, the operator can begin the activities.” He added that rescue boats and safety systems will be installed to ensure secure operations.
Officials noted that in addition to ABVIMAS’s designated zone, the District Water Sports and Allied Activities Society, in collaboration with the Biodiversity Conservation Society under the wildlife wing, is planning to launch tourism activities in other parts of Pong Lake outside the training area, which falls largely within the wildlife sanctuary. A master plan will determine activity zones, and a committee has been constituted to decide which recreational experiences can be conducted in different areas.
Pong Dam, constructed in 1975 and named in honour of Maharana Pratap, spans nearly 24,529 hectares (60,610 acres), with about 15,662 hectares (38,700 acres) designated as a lake. The reservoir is a significant wildlife sanctuary and is among 25 international wetland sites in India recognised under the Ramsar Convention. Its unique biodiversity and vast water body make it a prime location for eco-tourism and water-based recreational activities, officials said.
With the formalities completed and the operator in place, tourists can soon expect a mix of adventure and nature-based experiences at the iconic Pong Dam.
