The Sultanpur National Park

Location: Haryana, 50 km from Delhi and 15 km from Gurgoan.

Once a dry belt having just a shallow water body, Sultanpur attracted a range of both resident and migratory birds. The ornithologist – Peter Jackson, realized the potential of the place and transformed the area to become a virtual bird watcher’s delight. Suitable vegetation was planted and the area developed to attract more and more birds. Sultanpur was developed into a Bird Sanctuary and then into a National Park.

The development in Sultanpur continues as the department of Wildlife Preservation of Haryana, carries out development work endlessly. A number of mounds (which has now turned into glades of grass) have been constructed, the paths widened and tube wells have been dug for supply of water. Along with this more vegetation is being planted, the focus being kept on the bird’s choices and preferences. The hard work has paid off and you can spend a whole day or two just seeing their antics, hearing their sweet songs and watching the birds taking off as a flock converting the sky into a kaleidoscope.

The Sultanpur National Park is home to wildlife like the Blackbuck, Hog Deer, Sambar, Nilgai (Blue Bull), Wild Dog and Wild Cat, mongoose, Leopard, Chausingha, Indian Porcupine, Striped Hyena, Wild Pig, and Caracal.

Many reptiles have also taken refuge in the Sultanpur National park near the lake

Home to a large number of birds both resident and migratory, the Sultanpur National Park, has over 250 species of birds living in it. Around 150 species are found here through out the year, while the rest are migratory birds and come from places as far as Siberia.

Some of the interesting birds residing here are the Common Hoopoe, Purple Sunbird, Little Cormorant, Black Francolin and Grey Francolin, Indian Roller, White Throated Kingfisher, different species of Egrets, Mynahs, Ibis and Doves, Painted Stork, Red vented Bulbul, and Rose ringed Parakeet, Spotted Owlet, and the Magpie Robin. Along with them, the Weaver Bird, the Eurasian Thick-knee, Herons and Spoonbills can also been seen.

The Sultanpur National Park is a marshy land and the area gets flooded during the monsoons. The fishes, insects and the crustaceans that flourish in these floods attract a lot of birds to the Park.
Around 90 species of birds arrive at Sultanpur in winters in search of food and settle here for the season. Siberian Cranes, Demoiselle Cranes, Pelicans, Flamingoes, Bar-headed Geese, Northern Shoveler, Mallards, Teals, Wood Sandpiper are some of the birds that can be seen here during the winters. One can also see the Black Tailed Godwit, Blue Throat, Spotted Redshank, Starling and the Wagtails.

Summers bring with them migratory birds like the Koel, Bee Eaters, Comb Duck, the Black Crowned Night Heron and the Eurasian Golden Oriole.

Watch towers have been set up at different points to enable the visitors to enjoy their experience of Bird watching. Facilities like the library, the education and interpretation center and availability of binoculars, makes the experience educative and unforgettable.

The Sultanpur National park, once a marshy land with only few plants, has now been transformed into a proper forest which houses many birds both resident and migratory as well as animals. Trees like the Beris, Acacia Nilotica, Acacia Tortilis and Neem have been planted to attract birds. The vegetation consists of mainly tropical and dry deciduous forests, along with trees like the “Dhok”, “Tendu”, “Jamun” and “Banyan” trees interspersed with Savannah grasses.