After five months Sultanpur National Park, one of the popular destinations for migratory and resident birds will reopen its gate for visitors from October 1. The park remains closed for from May-September every year for breeding of avian species.
"The breeding season starts around April and end by September and during this period parks remain closed avoid any disturbance to birds," said forest official adding that large number of people visit park everyday so it is important to close the park for breeding season to avoid any disturbance to birds.
Around 67 bird species of birds were recorded breeding in Sultanpur park, compared to 58 species last year. Painted stock, purple heron, grey heron and pond heron are some of the birds that bred in the park this season.
Sultanpur bird sanctuary, located around 40 km from Dhaula Kuan in Delhi and 15 km from Gurgaon, is popular weekend destination for Delhi-NCR. Winter is best time to visit the sanctuary as large number of migratory birds comes here.
With an aim to attract more birds and provide them more comfortable atmosphere, the forest department has filled the lake with 12 lakh small fish as against 8.5 lakh fish last year. The fishes, which are food of the birds, are rohu, katla, common carp and mrigal, said officials.
"We filled the pond with fish twice this year. The first time on July 14 and second time on August 16. We have even trimmed the grass inside the pond and have created small islands to increase nesting options for the birds," said a wildlife officer.
More than 250 species of birds are found at Sultanpur Bird Sanctuary. Some of them are resident, while others come from distant regions like Siberia, Europe and Afghanistan.
The news of reopening of Sultanpur has given a reason to rejoice to the nature lovers. "Sultanpur is one of the best places to relax and unwind in the lap of the nature in Delhi-NCR region and we were eagerly waiting for reopening of the park," said Shalini Mishra, a resident of sector 14 Gurgaon.
Source: http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/gurgaon/Sultanpur-bird-sanctuary-to-reopen-from-October-1/articleshow/54550845.cms