Assan Barrage Bird Sanctuary — Attraction in Uttarakhand

Asan Conservation Reserve, or Asan barrage, is a stunning blue-green water body, around 43 km from Dehradun. 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. 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, it recently became Uttarakhand’s first Ramsar site, making it a ‘Wetland of International Importance’. Spread over 4.5 sq km, Asan is also listed as an Important Bird Area (BNHS and BirdLife International) and is popular for sightings of native and migratory birds. 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. 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...

Visited Asan Wetland Conservation Reserve with my family and it was a truly refreshing experience. Light drizzles came and went throughout our visit, adding a calm and romantic touch to the already serene surroundings.

The place is full of natural beauty — lush greenery, still waters, and peaceful vibes all around. The sound of birds and the light rain created a soothing atmosphere that felt like nature’s therapy. There were lovely views of the wetlands, and we spotted a signboard highlighting the Large Cormorant, which migrates from both the Northern and Southern hemispheres. Nature lovers and bird watchers would truly enjoy this place.

There are small pathways along the edge where you can sit, walk or just relax while enjoying the scenic views. Even though it was a cloudy day, the entire landscape looked picturesque with hills in the background and water bodies stretching into the distance.

If you’re near Dehradun or on your way to Paonta Sahib or Vikasnagar, this is a great spot to stop by for a calm break with nature. I highly recommend visiting during or just after rains — it becomes even more...

The Asan Barrage, popularly known as Dhalipur lake, was created in the year 1967 as a result of the construction of Asan barrage at the confluence of the river Yamuna & Asan through Dhalipur power house. Asan Barrage is famous for bird watching

Directly behind the barrage on its eastern flank, water reenters the Eastern Yamuna Canal on the west side of the Yamuna River. At a distance of 4.5 km (3 mi) from the barrage on the canal, water reaches the 30 MW Kulhal Power Plant at 30°25′43″N 77°37′46″E. The power plant contains three 10 MW Kaplan turbine-generators and has a design hydraulic head of 18 m (59 ft). Once discharged from the power station, the water is conducted by the canal 13 km (8 mi) to the 72 MW Khara Power Station at 30°21′02″N 77°36′06″E in Uttar Pradesh. The Khara Power Station contains three 24 MW Francis turbine-generators and a has a net head of 43 m (141 ft).

The dam creates the Asan Reservoir, also called Dhalipur Lake. The lake is popular for bird watching and 53 species are known to make a habitat there, 19 species are migratory from...