Situated 55 km south of
Amritsar, Harike Lake was declared as a wildlife sanctuary in 1982. This shallow reservoir was created by the construction of a barrage at the confluence of the
Sutlej and
Beas rivers.
The Harike Lake is the largest wetland system in
Punjab and attracts a large number of migratory and resident birds, especially during winter. Bird species include Indian skimmer, yellow-eyed Pigeon, Rufus-vented Prinia and Sind sparrow. The main species of fish fauna present is hilsa.
