Sultanpur National Park UPSC

Sultanpur National Park is a popular bird sanctuary located in the state of Haryana, India. It was formerly known as Sultanpur Bird Sanctuary.

The park is particularly famous for attracting a large number of migratory birds during the winter months. Over 250 bird species have been recorded in Sultanpur National Park, including both resident and migratory birds.

Sultanpur National Park is part of Central Asian Flyway. It is an important stopover for migratory birds that use the Central Asian Flyway. The park provides a critical habitat for these birds, offering them food, shelter, and breeding grounds.

Table of Contents

Location
History
Area
River
Lake
Flora
Fauna
UPSC Questions

Sultanpur National Park Location

Sultanpur National Park (formerly Sultanpur Bird Sanctuary) is located in Gurugram district of Haryana, India. It is located at Sultanpur village on Gurugram-Jhajjar highway, 15 km from Gurugram, Haryana and 50 km from Delhi in India.

The park is easily accessible by road and is well-connected to nearby cities and towns.

Nearest Airport:

The nearest airport to Sultanpur National Park is Indira Gandhi International Airport, located in Delhi. It is approximately 30 kilometers (18 miles) away from the park.

Nearest Railway Station:

The nearest railway station to Sultanpur National Park is Gurgaon Railway Station, also known as Gurugram Railway Station. It is located in Gurgaon city, which is about 20 kilometers (12 miles) away from the park.

Sultanpur National Park History

Sultanpur National Park has an interesting history that dates back several centuries. Here's a brief overview:

1. Historical Hunting Ground: The area where Sultanpur National Park is situated was originally a hunting ground for the Maharajas (kings) of the region. It was used by them for hunting birds and other wildlife.

2. Transformation into a Bird Sanctuary: In 1969, a severe drought hit the region, resulting in a decline in the water levels of the local wetlands. This led to a significant decrease in the number of migratory birds visiting the area. Recognizing the need for conservation, the local authorities took the initiative to convert Sultanpur into a bird sanctuary.

3. Establishment as a Bird Sanctuary: In April 1971, Sultanpur Bird Sanctuary was officially established under section 8 of the Punjab Wildlife Preservation Act of 1959. Over time, it gained recognition for its ecological importance and rich avian diversity.

4. Establishment as a National Park: In 1991, it was designated as a National Park by the Government of India under the Wildlife (Protection) Act, 1972, and since then, it has been known as Sultanpur National Park.

5. Ramsar Site: In 2021, Sultanpur National Park was notified as a Ramsar site, a wetland of international importance, under the criteria of the Ramsar Convention on Wetlands, 1971.

Sultanpur National Park Area

Sultanpur National Park covers an area of approximately 1.43 square kilometers (142.52 hectares). It is a relatively small park compared to some of the other national parks in India, but it is an important bird sanctuary and biodiversity hotspot in the region.

Sultanpur National Park River

Sahibi river flows through Sultanpur National Park.

Sahibi River:

The Sahibi river is also called the Sabi river.
The Sahibi river originates in the Aravalli Range and flows in a southerly direction before joining the Yamuna River in Delhi.
The Sahibi River is flowing through Rajasthan, Haryana and Delhi states in India.
The Sahibi River is a seasonal river and is largely dependent on rainfall.

Sultanpur National Park Lake

Sultanpur Jheel located in the Sultanpur National Park and main source of water.

Sultanpur Jheel is a large lake in Sultanpur National Park. It is spread over an area of about 1.1 square kilometers. The Sultanpur Jheel is the centerpiece of the park and was created by damming a small tributary of the Yamuna River.

The lake is surrounded by dense vegetation, including trees, shrubs, and grasses, which provide nesting sites and shelter for birds and other wildlife. It is an important habitat for migratory and resident birds. During the winter months, the lake attracts a large number of migratory birds.

Visitors to the park can enjoy boating on the lake and birdwatching from the watchtowers that are located around the lake.

Sultanpur National Park Flora

Which plants are found in Sultanpur National Park?

Sultanpur National Park is home to a variety of flora that adds to its biodiversity. The park is dominated by tropical dry deciduous forest, which is characterized by trees that shed their leaves during the dry season. Apart from trees, Sultanpur National Park is also home to several species of shrubs, grasses, and herbs.

(1) Tree Species:

Along the fringes of the wetlands and in the surrounding areas, you can find a mix of trees and shrubs. Common tree species include:

Dhok
Khair
Banyan
Neem
Dhok
Babul
Ber
Jamun

(2) Shrubs Species:

Lantana
Jatropha
Ziziphus

(3) Grasses Species:

The park features different types of grasses and reeds. These plants grow in the marshy areas and provide cover and nesting sites for birds and other wetland species.

Cenchrus ciliaris
Chrysopogon fulvus
Heteropogon contortus

(4) Aquatic Plants:

The park's wetland areas are adorned with various aquatic plants such as water lilies, lotus, duckweed, and various species of submerged and floating plants. These plants play a crucial role in maintaining the ecological balance and providing habitat and food for numerous aquatic organisms.

(5) Wetland Vegetation:

Various wetland plants thrive in Sultanpur National Park, such as Typha, Phragmites, Scirpus, and Eleocharis species. These plants have adapted to grow in waterlogged and marshy conditions and provide habitat, food, and nesting sites for wetland birds and other wildlife.

(6) Ornamental Plants:

In addition to the natural vegetation, the park also has a variety of ornamental plants that have been planted for aesthetic purposes. These plants include:

Bougainvillea
Gulmohar
Jacaranda

Sultanpur National Park Fauna (Sultanpur National Park Animals)

Which animals are found in Sultanpur park?

Sultanpur National Park is home to a diverse range of fauna, including mammals, birds, reptiles, and amphibians. During the winter months, the park attracts a large number of migratory birds. Apart from birds, the park also has several species of mammals and reptiles,

Mammals:

Blackbuck
Nilgai
Hog Deer
Sambar
Leopard

Birds:

Sultanpur National Park is famous for which bird?

Sultanpur National Park is a major habitat for aquatic birds, including migratory and resident birds. Migratory birds start arriving in the Sultanpur National Park in September and migratory birds use the park as a resting place till the following March-April. During summer and monsoon months the Sultanpur National Park is inhabited by many local bird species.

(1) Resident Birds:

Common Hoopoe
Paddy Field Pipit
Purple Sunbird
Little Cormorant
Indian Cormorant
Common Spoonbill
Grey Francolin
Black Francolin
Indian Roller
White-throated Kingfisher
Indian Spot-billed Duck
Painted Stork
Black-necked Stork
Magpie Robin
Greater Coucal
Weaver Bird
White Ibis
Black-headed Ibis
Little Egret
Great Egret
Cattle Egret
Crested Lark
Red-vented Bulbul
Rose-ringed Parakeet
Red-wattled Lapwing
Shikra
Eurasian Collared Dove
Red Collared Dove
Laughing Dove
Spotted Owlet
Rock Pigeon
Bank Mynah
Common Mynah
Asian Green Bee-eater

(2) Migratory Birds:

Siberian Cranes
Greater Flamingo
Demoiselle Crane
Ruff
Northern Pintail
Yellow Wagtail
White Wagtail
Northern Shoveller
Rosy Pelican
Spot-billed Pelican
Gadwall
Wood Sandpiper
Spotted Sandpiper
Black-winged Stilt
Eurasian Teal
Common Greenshank
Eurasian Wigeon
Black-tailed Godwit
Spotted Redshank
Starling
Bluethroat Pipit
Long-billed Pipit

Reptiles:

Monitor Lizards
Indian Pythons
Cobras