Migration begins in Sultanpur Bird Sanctuary near Gurgaon

20 October, 2012

The arrival of autumn in the country has started attracting birds migrating from various parts of the world. This has made Sultanpur Bird Sanctuary more colourful, and the migration will continue till the end of February next year. Bird lovers can take advantage of the low entrance fee of Rs 5 as it could be increased to Rs 50 if a proposal to increase the same is agreed upon.

WITH THE arrival of autumn the wait for the people of Gurgaon and NCR is over - as diverse species of birds have begun arriving after migrating from different corners of the world to the Sultanpur Bird Sanctuary. From the first week of October about more than 100 migratory bird birds are arriving at Sultanpur in search of feeding grounds, to pass the winter, and will spend almost 5 months till the end of February.

"Yes, migration began from last week and people from the city have started coming here and the atmosphere is becoming more festive," confirmed bird sanctuary's in-charge JK Sharma to this citizen journalist .

In the next four months, visitors can see about 100 species of birds, and enjoy a beautiful sight and view of the park. Including some local birds, the total number of bird species found in this park is 250 - including some coming from distant regions such as Siberia, Europe and Afghanistan.

Local resident species includes Purple Sunbird, White Ibis, Laughing Dove, Little Cormorant, Eurasian Thick-knee, Black Francolin, Shikra, Indian Roller, Spot billed Duck, Painted Stork, , Black headed Ibis, Little Egret, Great Egret, Cattle Egret, India Crested Lark, Red collared Dove, Red vented Bulbul, Rose ringed Parakeet, Red wattled Lapwing, Eurasian collared Dove, Spotted Owlet, Rock Pigeon, Magpie Robin, Greater Coucal, Gray Francolin, Common Mynah and Green Bee Eater, Common Hoopoe, Weaver Bird, Bank Mynah, Paddyfield Pipit, and White-throated Kingfisher. are some most popular species.

While migratory birds includes Siberian Cranes, Greater Flamingo, Common Teal, Common Greenshank, Ruff, Black winged Stilt, Northern Pintail, Yellow Wagtail, White Wagtai and many more.

Efforts are being made by the Haryana government to improve vegetation in the area by planting more trees, which are popular with the birds such as Acacia Nilotica, Acacia Tortilis, Beris and Neem, in the park.

This season visitors have already begin to make a beeline to the park in the sanctuary. "Around 200-400 visitors are coming daily in the park and we are expecting many more visitors as time passes, it is just a start," said Mr Sharma.

The news of increasing entry fees 10 times was also something that was expected from the administration last month to not encourage unwanted visitors who consider the sanctuary just as a picnic spot, specially young couples.

"Yes we have given a proposal to the government to increase entry fees to Rs. 50 from Rs. 5 to reduce the number of such couples but we are still waiting for the response of government, but till that time the entry fee will remain same as before i,e. Rs. 5," Sharma added.