Notes from Haryana: The ever popular Sultanpur National Park

  Posted on by bNomadic

  79 Comments

As the state government showcased Sultanpur habitat as part of its tableau in the just held Republic Day parade at the Rajpath in New Delhi, I thought of writing about this ever popular bird-watching destination located within the confines of NCR. The birding destination, I always held, is already very popular but a few interesting thoughts and queries after conclusion of the 2015 RD celebrations have brought me to share my experiences at the sanctuary. Owing to the birdlife, facilities and mostly the ease of access to this sanctuary, it remains to be one of the most organised bird-watching winter-destinations in the region.

Locally called Loharjung, a near-threatened Black-necked Stork

Locally called Loharjung, a near-threatened Black-necked Stork. More images at Flickr Photoset

Located just 15km from Gurgaon on the Gurgaon-Farrukhnagar-Jhajjar highway, the brackish waters of the low-lying marshy tract is just a suitable habitat to attract as well as support a large variety and quantity of birdlife especially in the migratory season. The sheer richness of the biodiversity in this swathe of semi-arid vegetation appealed the distinguished guests and participants – at the IUCN General Assembly held in Delhi in 1969 – including Dr Salim Ali, Peter Scott, Dillon Ripley, Luc Hoffmann as well as Prince Birendra from Nepal who visited the site at the initiative of Peter Jackson, then a journalist and a wildlife enthusiast. Later representations sent to the government by Dr Ali and Jackson saw the destination declared as a Bird Sanctuary in 1971 which was subsequently upgraded to a National Park in 1991.

A misty winter morning at the Sultanpur National Park

A misty winter morning at the Sultanpur National Park

Before Sultanpur was declared protected, the marshy lake was either frequented by bird-watchers, a rarity in those days, or the elites of the capital region who flocked the site to bag a “precious” game trophy. Records highlight that not only the British but the local nawabs were equally fond of hunting to please their “adventure”-tastes. Much before that, the expanse was once famed for the quantity of salt it produced. The Imperial Gazetteer of India mentions that the trade died due to extra taxes imposed by the British. Today, the doyen of Indian Ornithology, Dr Salim Ali, is largely credited for bringing awareness and transforming the 359 acres of this region from hunting grounds to a protected bird sanctuary.

Locally called Janghil, a Painted Stork in flight

Locally called Janghil, a Painted Stork in flight. Please visit Flickr for more bird images 

A family of Greylag Geese shooing off strangers

A family of Bar-headed Geese shooing off strangers. More bird images at Flickr Photoset

A misty morning

A misty morning as observed from the periphery pathway at the lake.

Every season a large number of waterfowls visit the sanctuary including Pelicans, Cormorants, Cranes, Herons, Egrets, Storks, Flamingos, Geese and Ducks, etc. A number of endemic territorial birds reside here round the year. Breeding of Saras, Storks including a rare Black Necked Stork have been recorded in this park. It is estimated that every winter season, the park is visited by over 30,000 birds. The official checklist confirms sightings of over 250 bird-species in the sanctuary, however, the quality and size of the habitat has deteriorated from what was originally observed as claimed by Jackson in a recent interview. A detailed checklist published by the Haryana Forest Department could be accessed here.

ABC

Locally called Ghogoi, an angry Large Grey Babbler.

ABC

Locally called Thirthira, a Black Redstart. More from the region at Flickr Photoset

ABC

Locally called Sada Munia, an Indian Silverbird. More images at Flickr Photoset

A Egret

A Great Egret, also called Great White Heron patiently waiting for its catch. More images at Flickr Photoset

Locally called Chhoti Murgabi, a Common Teal

Locally called Chhoti Murgabi, a Common Teal. More bird images at Flickr Photoset

Locally called Nakta, a Comb Duck

Locally called Nakta, a Comb Duck. Please visit Flickr Photoset for more bird-images

Some of the frequently spotted resident birds include Common Hoopoe, Paddyfield Pipit, Purple Sunbird, Little Cormorant, Eurasian Thick-knee, Gray Francolin, Black Francolin, Indian Roller, White-throated Kingfisher, Spot billed Duck, Painted Stork, White Ibis, Black headed Ibis, Little Egret, Great Egret, Cattle Egret, India 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 and Mynahs, etc. The common winter visitors at the Sultanpur Bird Sanctuary includes Cranes, Geese, Greater Flamingo, Ruff, Black winged Stilt, Common Teal, Common Greenshank, Wagtails, Northern Shoveler, Rosy Pelican, Gadwall, Sandpipers, Eurasian Wigeon, Black tailed Godwit, Spotted Redshank, Starling, Bluethroat and Long billed Pipit, etc. The sanctuary also accommodates a Blue Bull couple and a few jackals.

Locally called Roz, a Blue Bull (Nilgai) male inside the sanctuary

Locally called Roz, a Blue Bull (Nilgai) male inside the sanctuary

Just as every bird-watching destination, the best way to observe birdlife at Sultanpur will be to take a walk. A walk along the lake, at a leisure-pace, wouldn’t take more than a couple of hours unless you want to wait to take those special shots with your camera. Four tall watch-towers have been placed to assist you in observing birds and their habits. The pathway offers plentiful of options to sit with a camera hide. The library and the interpretation centre at the park houses over 70 portraits of birds along with films, slides and some memorabilia left by Dr Salim Ali. The staff at the park is full of information and experience to initiate a novice into the calmer realms of bird-watching. Bharat Lal, the forest guard at the sanctuary is full of anecdotes and incidents about the celebrity birders from the NCR region. “Demoseel Krane ke liye subah paanch baje tayyar rehna”, he retorted to my queries when I last stayed there. Despite myself getting ready at the agreed time, I failed in my attempts to locate the elusive pair of Demoiselle Cranes that season. And that’s the beauty one has to live with in a wildlife zone. It’s not a zoo, remember!

Commonly called Bandar, Rhesus Macaques pose threat to the nesting sites of the residents

Commonly called Bandar, Rhesus Macaques pose a threat to the nesting sites of resident birds

An additional inlet of canal-based water has partly bolstered the water supply to save the water body and the refreshing greenery surrounding it that attracts diverse birdlife round the year. The lake is dotted by reeds, aquatic plants and some recently created mud pits in the water. The boundary-wall of the sanctuary is surrounded by agricultural lands. Geographically, the park is surrounded by Sultanpur village towards West, Chandu village towards East, Sadhrana village towards South East and Kaliwas towards the North; all within the confines of Gurgaon district. The park boasts of almost every facility a visitor could possibly think of at a bird-watching destination. This includes accommodation, decently appointed cottages or rooms, restaurant as well as a bar, conference room and a forest rest house where ex-PM Indira Gandhi was held captive after her arrest in 1977.

Winter sundown at the Sanctuary

Winter sundown at the Sanctuary

Best time to visit: Winter season
Travel Lure: Bird watching, Picnicking
Accommodation: Plentiful
How to reach: 15km from Gurgaon on the Gurgaon-Farrukhnagar-Jhajjar highway

 Category: Haryana, Travels, Wildlife      Tags: , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , ,

79 Comments on “Notes from Haryana: The ever popular Sultanpur National Park”

  4. Sultanpur really looks like a bird enthusiasts paradise! With 30.000 birds passing by each year I can understand why it is popular:)

    Reply

    • Thanks Kalpanaaa for stopping by my blog and showering it with appreciation. Okhla is a beautiful habitat (whatever is remaining of it). I rarely organise or participate in a birding-race/ group bird watching. Of course one gets to socialise but the purpose takes a kick. So I am on my own most of the time. 🙂

      Reply

  10. Oh – hi again – I presume you are Delhi based. Would really love to have you at the blogger meet I’m organising on 13.2.15 at 6.30. Details on my blog. Cheers.

    Reply

    • Hey thanks really. for the appreciation you’ve showered on my blog. And for the mention. Little joys of blogging. 😉 Hows Himalayan paradise? Must be really cold out there at this time of the year.

      Reply

      • Well, pleasure is all mine:) in Kolhapur currently.. will be back to base towards month end.. but it’s snowing in most parts now.. 🙂 if I get some pictures, will share..

      • welcome Sir! on the borders of RS Pura there is a natural wetland, which falls in the vicinity of Village Gharana. In the months of Dec-Jan (generally), we have some migratory birds in good number including Bar-headed Goose. The birds survey and stay there for some short time, seems it is the place for their short halt. The sight is very beautiful and picture perfect. Though the wild life authorities of J&K, have requested to develop the same into reserve, but there seems some issues in way. If I get some pictures of that, would share the same. Might be of your interest 🙂

    • Thanks George for stopping by my blog. Keep visiting bNomadic for more such stories. I hope to improve with time 🙂

      Reply

  18. Great pics, loved reading the post and watching the birds… I think I shud start trying this too… 🙂

    Reply

    • Thanks. Absolutely true! Bird watching is an all encompassing activity especially if you love travelling. Keep visiting bNomadic for more 🙂

      Reply

  20. Great photos – I loved them – particularly that black necked stork. – Thanks for leaving a like on Opher’s World. Best wishes – Opher.

    Reply

  21. This sounds delightful though I had never heard of the place before. Perhaps you haven’t heard of my fav bird sanctuary on Westham Island not far from Vancouver. Many of the same variety of birds visit this site. I usually go in the summer but want to visit in the winter as that’s when the snowy owl arrives.

    Reply

  25. I loved all these pictures in this post. Really good job.
    I’ve been to Sultanpur too, belong to Gurgaon. You have made me to go there again with camera now 🙂
    I’m learning photography, have started my blog here http://krishnavashistha.wordpress.com
    Please get some time to go through and provide your inputs/comments/suggestion anything you feel like. Will appreciate it.

    Reply

  30. Reblogged this on INDRANEEL and commented:
    Hi there, thank you so much for going through my posts and liking them. I really like the photographs in your Sultanpur Article. Peace.

    Reply

  31. Such beautiful images! I have been thinking of visiting Sultanpur forever, but have never been able to make it. Looks like I will have to do a trip now…

    Reply

  33. Hallo. I suppose we share a passion for india country. I though to translate in italian Language some of yr post simply to put them on my blog. Do u thing is it possible? Do u agree? Obviously i will mention the source, Your blog……

    Reply

    • Absolutely. Even bird watching requires patience. Thanks for stopping by the blog. Keep visiting bNomadic for more such travel stories:-)

      Reply

  36. It’s hard to locate well-informed individuals on this issue, but you sound like you comprehend what you’re talking about!
    Thanks

    Reply

    • You must! In fact this is the right time of the season. Just plan a day outing on one of these days. Keep visiting bNomadic for more such travel stories 🙂

      Reply

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