Sultanpur National Park in Haryana: tourism information in the paradise of birds watchers
Sultanpur national Park is a paradise for hundreds of resident and migratory birds which is located at Gugaon of Haryana. In the article, the readers will find to read about its brief history, the birds recorded in the park, the facilities and accommodation and how to reach the park.
Location and history of Sultanpur National Park
The location of Sultanpur National Park is Gurgaon of Haryana. It is situated in the Gurgaon Farukh Nagar Road. It is home to approximately 250 species of resident birds and migratory birds. More than 100 species of migratory birds come to this national park to pass the winter.
The name of the place Sultanpur was named after Rajput Chauhan Sultan Singh. Till the late 19th century, it was the centre of salt production which was used in the united provinces and in Delhi.
In the year 1970, a famous ornithologist Peter Jackson found this sanctuary. He wrote to the then Prime Minister of India Indira Gandhi to declare it as a bird sanctuary. Mr. Jackson was a Honorary secretary of Delhi Birdwatching Society. In the year 1972, it was declared as Sultanpur Bird Reserve. And on 13th July, 1989 it was declared as a National Park. The area of the national park is 1.43 square kilometer.
Climate of the park: The climate of the national park is typical North Indian climate. Rainy season starts from July to August only. The temperature rises from 0 Degree C in winter to 46 Degree C in summer.Birds at Sultanpur National park
So many bird species are found in this national park. More than 150 species of resident birds are seen in Sultanpur national Park and more than 100 migratory birds come to this park to pass the winter from Europe, Siberia and Central Asia. Around 250 species of birds are reported till now.
Resident birds: The various species of resident birds seen in this park are Indian cormorant, Little cormorant, Indian roller, Painted Stork, Black necked Stork, Little Egret, Great Egret, Red Vented Bulbul, Bank Mynah, Green bee-eater etc. The other varieties of resident birds seen in Sultanpur National Park are Common Hoopoe, Purple Sunbird, Gray Francolin, White throated Kingfisher, Weaver bird, Rose-ringed parakeet, Red-wattled Lapwing, Paddyfield Pippit, Rock pigeon, Spotted owlet, Magpie Robin, Common Mynah, White Ibis, Black-headed ibis, Greater coucal, Laughing dove, Red collared dove, Shikra Eurasian collared dove etc.
Migratory birds: The migratory birds come to the Park from Central Asia, Europe and Siberia in the month November. They rest there till March and April. The migratory birds reported in this national park include Greater flamingo, Siberian Crane, Common Greenshank, Common Teal, Spotted Redshank, Rosy Pelican, spot-billed Pelican Yellow Wagtail, White Wagtail, Wood Sandpiper, etc. Other varieties of migratory birds seen in the summer season are Spotted Sandpiper, Gadwall, Eurasian Wigeon, Black Tailed Godwit, Starling, Bluethroat, Long billed Pipit, Asian Koel, Indian Golden Oriole, Blue cheeked Bee-eater, Cuckoos, Gray Heron, Black crowned Night Heron, Northern Shoveler etc.
Other flora and fauna seen in the park: Animals like Blue bull, Hog Deer and Black Buck are found in the park. Plants such as various species of Acacia, Neem and Berberis are seen in this national park.Facilities and accommodation at the park
As the national park is mainly a bird sanctuary, people from different parts of the country come to see the birds. For the bird watchers there are four watch towers located at different parts of the park. The other facilities available for the tourists are an education and interpretation centre, binoculars, slides and film and a library. There is a room in memory of Dr Salim Ali where his famous photographs of birds, write ups and busts and also some of his personal effects are kept.
The park also has guest rooms for the tourists who want to stay overnight. The Haryana tourism provides accommodation for the tourists near the park. The authority provides all the amenities in the guest house. Those who want to stay can contact the Manager of Rosy Pelican Tourist Complex. The contact number is 0124-2015670. To enter the national park, one must have his or her identity card with him. There is also a minimum entry fee of 5 Rs for the tourists.
How to reach Sultanpur National Park:
By air: The nearest airport to the national park is Indira Gandhi International airport which is at a distance of 35kms from the park. One can take taxi or bus to the national park.
By train: The nearest railway station is Garhi Harsaru. From Delhi to Huda City Center of Gurgaon, Metros are available. The tourists can take taxi or other local arrangement to reach the national park.
The forest department of Haryana has carried out many activities for the well being of the park. it has constructed path and bird watching points for the tourists. It has also constructed boundary wall along the periphery of the park to check the influx of domestic animals and out flux of wild animals. To feed the birds, it also releases fish eggs in the lake.
This is one exhaustive information article on the Sultanpur National Park and useful for the avid bird watchers. It is a delight to see so many birds at one place and I think this place is the ideal destination for a short visit and observing the birds and their behaviour.