Sultanpur National Park

Landscape

The area is on the verge of the semi-arid zone around Rajasthan. Though of late, due to poor monsoons and depletion of groundwater, part of what used to be a vast sheet of water, has dried up into a grassy land, the lake has sufficient amount of water in the winters to attract large number of migratory birds.

Understand

Just an hour's drive from the bustling Capital City of India, Delhi, Sultanpur National Park and Bird Sanctuary is a heaven for birdwatchers.

History

Sultanpur area on the Farukhnagar Gurgaon road was a low lying marshy area which used to get inundated during monsoons. The collected brackish water attracted a large variety of animals and aquatic plants which in turn attracted migratory as well as a variety of resident birds. Earlier this was a favourit hunting grounds of the rich and famous around Delhi and the rulers of the small principalities in the area excelled in the sport of waterfowl hunting. Dr. Salim Ali, the doyen of Indian Ornithology is largely responsible for converting this hunting grouonds to a Bird Sanctuary. He was a frequent visitor till the last days. It was officially declared a Bird Sanctuary in 1971, thanks to the keen interest of Dr. Ali. In 1991, the Sanctuary was upgraded into a National Park.

Flora and fauna

The resident bird population include Gray and Black Franklolins, Hoopoe, Indian Roller, Drongo, Paddyfield Pipit, at least five variey of larks, three types of egrets, Purple Sunbird, Kingfishers, Lapwings, Indian Courser, Bushchats, Indian and Magpie Robins, Prinias, Black Kites, Shikra, Marsh Harrier, Oriental Honey Buzzard, Black Shouldered Kite, Sarus Crane, Comb Duck, Spotbilled Duck, Cormorants, Night Heron, Spotted Owlet and two types of Parakeets.

Migrants includes almost all common ducks who visit Northern India, including, Teal, Gaganey, Northern Shoveller, Pintail and Brahminy Duck. Various species of Storks and ibis as well as Spoonbills are also commonly seen in the park.

Other migratory waterbirds like Sandpipers, Plovers, Black winged Stilt, Green Shank, Red Shanks, etc. also visit this Sanctuary in good numbers. Summer Migrants include Asian Koel, Cuckoos, Golden Oriole, Bee Eaters, and others.

The Sanctuary has a large number of resident NeelgaiBoselaphus tragocamelus Pallas besides some jackals, porcupines and mongooses.