Sultanpur National Park

Sultanpur National Park is located in Gurgaon District, Haryana, India, located 15 km from Gurgaon, Haryana.

The area was declared a Bird sanctuary in 1972, and twenty years later in 1989, it was made a later a National Park [ [http://www.birding.in/birdingsites/sultanpur_bird_sanctuary.htm Sultanpur Bird Sanctuary and National Park] "www.birding.in".] . It has an area of 1.43 square kilometres [ [http://www.wii.gov.in/envis/envis_pa_network/page_haryana.htm Wildlife Protected Areas in Haryana] "www.wii.gov.in".] . It is a protected area where over 250 species of birds have been sighted.

History

It was the find of Peter Jackson, famous ornothologist, and Honorary Secretary of the Delhi Birdwatching Society, who wrote to Prime Minister of India, Indira Gandhi, founder of the Society, in 1970 about the need to declare the Sultanpur jheel near Delhi, a bird sanctuary, and she asked him to take her there.

She had to cancel at the last minute, but later instructed the Chief Minister of Haryana to protect the jheel and in 1972, the Sultanpur Bird Reserve was established. On 07/13/1989 the reserve was upgraded to a National Park. [ [http://www.sanctuaryasia.com/interviews/petjackson.php Peter Jackson Interview] Sanctuary Asia, (12/2000) "Interviews", December, 2000.]

Resident birds

Resident birds include the Common hoopoe, Paddyfield pipit, Purple sunbird, Little cormorant, Indian Cormorant, Common Spoonbill, Gray Francolin, Black francolin, Indian roller, White-throated kingfisher, Spotbill, Painted stork, Black-necked stork, White ibis, Black-headed ibis, Little egret, Great egret, Cattle egret, Crested lark, Red-vented bulbul, Rose-ringed parakeet, Red-wattled lapwing, Shikra, Eurasian collared dove, Red-collared dove, Laughing dove, Spotted owlet, Rock pigeon, Magpie robin, Greater coucal, Weaver bird, Bank Mynah, Common Mynah and Green Bee-eater.

Migratory birds

Every year over a 100 migratory bird species visit here to feed. In winter the sanctuary provides is a panorama of migratory birds such as Siberian Crane, Greater Flamingo, Ruff, Black-winged Stilt, Common Teal, Common Greenshank, Northern Pintail, Yellow Wagtail, White Wagtail, Northern Shoveler, Rosy Pelican, Spot-billed Pelican, Gadwall, Wood Sandpiper, Spotted Sandpiper, Eurasian Wigeon, Black-tailed Godwit, Spotted Redshank, Starling, Bluethroat and Long-billed Pipit. In summer about 11 species of migratory birds such as Asian Koel, Black-crowned Night Heron, Grey heron, Eurasian Golden Oriole, Comb duck, Blue-cheeked Bee-eater, Blue-tailed Bee-eater and Cuckoos come here.

In addition to the many birds, animals such as Blue Bull and Black Buck are also seen here. [Wildlife Tours India, About Sultanpur National Park [http://www.indianwildlifeportal.com/national-parks/sultanpur-national-park.html] ] , [Wildlife Institute of India, Directory of Wildlife Protected Areas in India. [http://www.wii.gov.in/envis/envis_pa_network/page_haryana.htm] ] Trees which are popular with the birds like Acacia nilotica, Acacia tortilis, Berberis and Neem have been planted.

Facilities

The park is a popular picnic spot for residents of New Delhi and the NCR (National Capital Region), especially during the winter migration months when thousands of birds visit here from across the globe. There are four watch towers (machans) located at different points, an education and interpretation center, a library, films, slides and binoculars for the benefit of bird lovers. A walk along the perimeter of the park takes up to two hours. A room dedicated to the memory of Dr. Salim Ali, which contains his bust, photographs, write ups, and some of his personal effects. There is public parking, bathrooms, drinking water facilities and a children's park in the reserve. For those wishing to stay overnight, the park also has a well appointed guest house with all amenities. [haryana-online.com (2007) [http://www.haryana-online.com/sultanpur_sanctuary.htm Sultanpur National Park & Bird Sanctuary] ] [ [http://haryanatourism.com/destinations/r_sultanpur.asp Sultanpur National Park] "Haryana Tourism" Official website.] .

The park is 50 km from Delhi and 15 km from Gurgaon on the Gurgaon - Farukh Nagar Road. Address: Divisional Inspector, Wildlife, Sultanpur National Park, Dist. Gurgaon. C/o DFO (Terr.) Gurgaon (0124) - 6322057

Image gallery

References

External links

* [http://www.birding.in/birdingsites/sultanpur_bird_sanctuary.htm Sultanpur National Park at birding.in]