Country India District SAS Nagar PIN 142001 | State Punjab Time zone IST (UTC+5:30) Vehicle registration PB29 | |
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Weather 23°C, Wind NW at 13 km/h, 39% Humidity | ||
Motemajra is a Village on Chandigarh- Patiala road in state of Punjab, India. It is situated near Banur town in district SAS Nagar, Mohali. As per 2011 census of government of India population of this village is 2160 out of which number of male and female was 1143 and 1017 respectively. (S. No. 92).
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Village pond
Motemajra is a very popular and well known for having a very large pond, which attracts a large number of migratory birds in winter season every year. These birds start to arrive in November and leave in March. Total area of the village is 400 Hectares(S no. 92). Area of the Pond is 32 acres and it is the one of the biggest ponds available in the villages of the Punjab State. This village pond is known as "Kalyanpur Dhaab" in the lacal area named after a famous saint "Kalyan Ji" of the village. In vernacular Punjabi Language, Dhaab is known as a medium size water body, bigger than pond and smaller than a lake.
History and background
This village pond is known as "Kalyanpur Dhaab" in the local area named after a famous saint "Kalyan Ji" of the village. In vernacular Punjabi language, Dhaab is known as a medium size water body, bigger than pond and smaller than a lake. Originally the pond was created to preserve rain water for irrigation and livestock drinking purposes when modern means of irrigation was not developed. Water of seasonal streams and drains approaching from Shivalik Hills was also accumulated here for these purposes. Later this became a sizable and sustainable water body and as a result migratory birds started visiting her in every winter season.
Migratory birds
Availability of adequate water in the pond, sufficient open surrounding and favourable climatic conditions in the village attract a large number and varieties of migratory birds here every year. These include mainly Common Pochard, Coots, Brahmini Ducks, Purple Moor Hen, Red Crested Pochard, Pin Tail Duck, Cormorants, Wigeons Duck or Blue Winged Duck and Garganey Duck. These birds migrate from Russia, China, Siberia and few other adjoining European countries. Numbers of these migratory birds arriving here every year are reported in thousands but this number is declining due to various climatic hazards and economic exploitation of the pond.
Present status
Although a large number of migratory birds visit this pond every year yet their number is reported to be declining every year. One of the main reason for it may be exploitation of the pond for economic purpose by the village level local administration i.e. village panchyat. The Pond is leased out to fishermen in winter and for Sangharra (ਸੰਘਾੜਾ) cultivation in summer by the village panchyat every year. This causes fear and many other hurdles to the birds. Pollution of water may be another reason for it