Yippee! Spring is here. Bollywood has a fine collection of songs devoted to spring, Kalidas even wrote an epic poem on it. Okay, ok, but seriously, can’t you feel a change in the air? The fragrance of the flowers, the subtle scent in the wind of an early summer, and the exhilaration in the hearts. It’s the season of love. Though, we’re not going to talk about Love, sorry to disappoint you. This is the season that always gets my feet restless, and eager to go out and explore the world.
The winter is about to go, and summer’s already knocking, that’s perfect excuse for a picnic. And we have some foreign guests to meet too, in fact hundreds of them. Nothing could be better than sharing your Sunday lunch along with them and having a tête-à-tête. Well, to break the suspense, I’m talking about ‘Asan Barrage Bird Sanctuary’.
Located just 43kms from Dehradun on the Doon – Chandigarh/Shimla highway, this scenic water body was formed way back in 1967, when the Asan Barrage was constructed at the confluence of Asan river and Yamuna canal coming from Dakpathar. Though, it was later that the local birders started noticing the winter trans-Himalayan migration pattern of the birds. An initial checklist was made, and today, Asan Barrage is a well known Bird Sanctuary, popular among birders from all over the country. Around 30 migratory species of birds make Asan Barrage their halt during their journey. Locals know it as a popular Sunday picnic spot for water sports.
The lake with a fascinating view of the Shivalik forest range at the horizon makes its first appearance when we climb up the narrow road and come level with it. The short drive along the lake offers a wide view of the wetland. GMVN runs a water sports complex here, and has boats for hire. You can make a stop here and enjoy the paddle-boat ride. Sometimes, the birds allow the boats to come quite close. But it would be best if you take your binoculars along and catch a view of as many as 50 migratory and local species of birds.
Just where the GMVN complex is situated (incidentally, they also have a few log huts on hire for the night, but badly located), the road leaves the lake and goes on to the barrage, and onward to Paonta Sahib. Just before the barrage bridge, there is a small restaurant on the left, which is very popular with those traveling to Paonta Sahib, Chandigarh or Nahan. Run by a father-son duo, it is popular for its famed omelettes and pakoras. It has enough parking space and a large lawn with chairs, where you can enjoy your meal and snacks. But let me tell you my favorite; after the boat-ride to satisfy the children, park at the restaurant, order your choicest snacks, and move on the road adjacent to the restaurant. It has a wooded area on the left, and the lake on the right and offers decent shade with trees on both sides of the road. Bring your rugs along, choose a clean spot and spread them wide. Open your lunch boxes & fill them with snacks from the restaurant and you are in your own private heaven. Beware of the monkeys though, it is their home turf and they are never far away from the tasty food that you have brought. If you are going there soon, don’t forget to taste the delicious ‘Chakotras’, that are sold just opposite the restaurant by local boys.
A boat-ride, a spicy omelette, and a lunch later, dusk is the perfect time to head back home. The lake offers a beautiful sunset view, so don’t miss out on that. See you there!
Blessed with astounding natural beauty, Doon Valley is one of the oldest cities in India. When it comes to places to visit in Dehradun, Asan Barrage is one of the must visit in the hill town.
ReplyDelete