Sultanpur Bird Sanctuary near Delhi
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Sultanpur Bird Sanctuary is located 15 kilometers from Gurgaon in Haryana and 50 kilometers from Delhi. This area became a bird sanctuary in 1972 and in 1989 it was declared a national park.
Sultanpur bird sanctuary was identified by the famous ornithologist Peter Jackson who requested the then Prime Minister Mrs. Indira Gandhi to declare Sultanpur as a bird sanctuary. Peter Jackson found the marshy lake of Sultanpur as a great attraction for migratory and resident birds due to the presence of fish, insects and weeds in the water. Finally, the lake was declared a sanctuary in 1972.
Dr Salim Ali, a famous ornithologist has also contributed a lot to the sanctuary and thus, Haryana Wildlife Department has dedicated a special room in his memory. The room contains description of his works, photographs and other contributions.
Sultanpur bird sanctuary is rich in flora and fauna. The sanctuary has a big lake that is a habitat for water-birds. Sultanpur is a natural habitat for resident as well as migratory birds. Wild animals can also be spotted in the park. The best time to visit the park is from October to June, with December being the peak season. However, birds can be spotted in the sanctuary through out the year.
The fertility of soil is high giving it green surroundings. The park has lush green grass, trees, shrubs and plenty of bougainvilleas. The type of forest is dry deciduous thus, among the big trees you will find only jamun, banyan, acacia, and so on. The sanctuary spreads over an area of 359 acres and it takes around 2 hours to walk through out the sanctuary.
As much as 250 species of birds have been recorded in Sultanpur Bird Sanctuary. Many birds are residents and others migrate from Siberia, Europe and Afghanistan. Almost 100 species of birds are migratory.
Among the migratory birds you will find migratory geese, flamingoes, pelicans, bar-headed geese, mallards, plovers, ruddy shelducks, demoiselle cranes, shovellers, grey lags, teals, pochards, gadwalls, and so on. Among the resident birds: plovers, red-wattled lapwings, herons, cormorants, white ibises, spoonbills and painted storks can be sighted easily.
Sultanpur Bird Sanctuary is also popular for wildlife. Animals like wildcat, hedgehog, mongoose, striped hyena, Indian Porcupine, wild pig, four-horned antilope, nilgai, hog deer, sambar, caracal and honey badger are common.
The sanctuary provides a congenial environment to the bird watchers. There are four "machans" or watch towers. Sultanur Bird Sanctuary is not only popular for bird watching. It is a very popular tourist and picnic spot for the residents of Delhi, Haryana and nearby areas. Government has made proper arrangements to entertain tourists by providing drinking water and rest rooms.
The bird sanctuary also boasts of a library, interpretation center and a museum. The museum has lots of pictures and models of different birds along with proper descriptions. Facility of binoculars is also provided to have a close look at the birds.
Sultanpur bird sanctuary is an ideal place for nature lovers. It is located at a reasonable distance from Delhi and is easily commutable. The sanctuary provides a peaceful atmosphere as compared to the hustle and bustle of the capital city Delhi.