A note on Sultanpur National Park, the Bird Paradise of Haryana

1* 2
Purbasha Banerjee , Arijit Pal
1
Research Biologist, Bombay Natural History Society (BNHS)
2
Research Scholar, Sálim Ali Centre for Ornithology and Natural History (SACON)
*Corresponding author: banerjeepurbasha@gmail.com

Situated in the foothills of Aravalli, the state of Haryana is known for its lush agricultural lands, replete with
ponds, lakes and canals. The significant number of water bodies form the important feeding, breeding and
roosting ground for many resident and migratory birds. The Sultanpur Jheel (28º28' N, 76º55' E) of Gurgaon
district is such a wetland which is a perfect abode for birds due to its hydrological and vegetative characteristics.

The Sultanpur Jheel was declared as a Sanctuary on

nd
2 April, 1971 and was upgraded to National Park on
5th July, 1991. Total area of Sultanpur National Park
(SNP) is 1.41 Km2 and the lake (Jheel) forms the core
area, which is a seasonal freshwater wetland with
irregular margins of fluctuating water level
throughout the year. This shallow lake is fed by the
overflow from adjacent agricultural fields and also
receives water from the Gurgaon canal of river
Yamuna. However, the water level in the lake remains maximum during monsoon and winter (July-March) and it
becomes almost dry during the summer months (April-June).

The dominant terrestrial vegetation in the Park consists of Prosopis chilensis, Acacia nilotica, and Azadirachta indica,
and grasses such as Vetiveria zizanioides and Erianthus ravennae. Aquatic vegetation includes submerged vegetation
like Vallisneria natans, Hydrilla sp., Ceratophyllum demersum; emergent plants such as Typha angustata, Saccharum munja
and Cyperus rotundus; and rooted floating saprophytes are Nymphaea stellata, N. nouchali and Ipomoea reptans
(Kalpavriksh 1994). The seasonal aquatic vegetation and open grasslands, dotted with manmade mud and grass
islands provide excellent habitat for different species of birds to roost and rest.

As the Park falls in the Central Asian Migratory Flyway, it teems with thousands of waterfowl in winter from
Central Asia and Western Palearctic region. Earlier studies revealed the existence of significant number of avian
species in the wetland areas of Haryana (Harvey 2003; Chopra et al. 2013). More than 320 species of birds were
recorded from SNP by Harvey in 2003. Chopra et al. (2012) recorded 113 avian species in the year of 2011-12.
Kaushik and Gupta (2016) reported 161 species during the period of 2009-2014. However, a total of 223 species
belonging to 17 taxonomic orders were recorded in 2014-2016, which include 55% resident, 38% winter
migratory and 7% local migratory species (Banerjee and Prakash, 2016).

A total of 112 wetland birds including 58 migratory species were recorded from SNP during 2014-16 (Banerjee
and Prakash, 2016). The population of the waterfowls were highest during the winter months (December-
January) and lowest in summer (May-June) when the lake became almost dry. Among winter birds, Common Teal
(Anas crecca) was the most dominant wintering duck, whereas Ruddy Shelduck (Tadorna ferruginea) was the least
recorded wintering duck in previous years. Common Crane (Grus grus) was the only wintering long-legged bird to
this area. Indian Spot-billed Duck (Anas poecilorhyncha) was the most common resident duck found throughout the
year in variable numbers.

SNP is a very important breeding ground for both wetland and terrestrial birds. A total 45 species were recorded
nesting during 2015-16, including 20 species of water birds and 25 of terrestrial birds. Most of the land birds
nested during the summer months (April-June) whereas the fish-eating birds nested during end of summer and
early monsoon (June-July). The Heronry of the fish-eating birds is one of the main attractions of SNP during
Monsoon (Urfi et al. 2007). Sarus Crane (Grus antigone) and the Black Necked Stork (Ephippiorhynchus asiaticus) are
two resident conspicuous species which nest in the Park. The resident Sarus Crane regularly nests in this Park.
When in 2015 a pair nested twice in summer and monsoon and in 2016 it nested in monsoon. The Black Necked
Stork was the only species recorded nesting during winter (Banerjee and Prakash, 2016).

Total 13 species of fish eating birds were recorded nesting

colonially in the heronry during 2014-2016 (Banerjee and Prakash,
2016). Painted Stork (Mycteria leucocephala) was the most common
long-legged bird nesting at the Park. But the nesting was found very
irregular. In recent years, the number of nests was found fluctuating
from 116 (2015) to 4 (2014) nests (Banerjee and Prakash, 2016).
However Urfi et al. (2005) reported 96 and 57 nests in 2004 and 2005
respectively.

Other important heronry birds nesting in SNP, includes Asian

Sarus Crane with chick at SNP Open-bill Stork Anastomus oscitans, Black-headed Ibis Threskiornis
melanocephalus, Darter Anhinga melanogaster, cormorants and egrets. An irregularity in the nesting of these species
was also observed in recent years. The reason could be the unavailability of food as there is hardly any fish stock
remains after the dry season. The number of nests also depends on the water levels in the Park. Therefore, the
unavailability of water affected the nesting of the heronry birds in 2016, when most of these birds left the heronry
abandoned and Painted Storks nested after rain started in
monsoon (Banerjee and Prakash, 2016).

SNP also hosts a good number of birds of prey. Total 23

species of Falconiformes were recorded from the Park
during 2014-16 (Banerjee and Prakash, 2016). Among these
12 were wintering, nine species were resident and two were
local migrant. Most of the resident species breeds within the
Park.

Both the population of birds and the nesting success is

Nesting of Painted Stork at SNP
dependent over predation. The Bonneli's Eagle Aquila fasciata
was found to be the most efficient bird of prey. Golden Jackals (Canis aureus) and Jungle cat (Felis chaus) were the
only mammalian predator at SNP predating over the ground nesting birds. Monitor Lizard (Varanas bengalensis)
was found pretating over the open nests of birds. Feral dogs were also found predating over wintering birds. The
herds of Nilgai (Boselaphus tragocamelus) and feral cattle also occasionally trampled the chicks and eggs of water
birds.

The Park is an important site for the species of global concern. There were historical records of four critically
endangered, three endangered, 11 vulnerable and 16 near threatened species from the Park. But in recent years
only one endangered, eight vulnerable and ten near threatened species were recorded (Banerjee and Prakash,
2016). Table 1 shows the list of such species recorded from SNP. There was also record of Long-billed Dowitcher
(Limnodromus scolopaceus) from the Park which was recorded as a vagrant in the country (Rasmussen and Anderton,
2012, Sharma et al. 2013).

Sultanpur National Park serves as an important feeding, roosting and breeding ground for thousands of water

8 SACON ENVIS Newsletter - Sarovar Saurabh Vol.13(3), 2017. ISSN: 0972-3153

birds but it is under immense threat of anthropogenic activities. Increasing residential and commercial
developments in the nearby areas, construction of high rise buildings, increase in transportations and the
development of nearby roadways and railways has very significant impact over the avian population of the Park.
Increasing pollution level is leading to the deterioration of the habitat. Increasing pressure of tourism and
scarcity of water during summer months also impose threats to the avian population of the Park. In recent years,
all these affect the avian population of the park resulting in decrease in the bird population.

Most of the water of the lake is pumped from the river Yamuna during monsoon and winter. The invasive African
Cat fish (Clarias gariepinus) comes into the Park along with this water which damages its ecosystem. It is an
omnivorous and voracious predator and feeds on the native flora and on native fish fauna, which ultimately affect
the food resource availability in the wetland.

Sultanpur National Park is like an island between agricultural fields and there is rampant use of pesticide,
insecticides and rodenticides in the fields. The water from the surrounding agricultural fields comes into the Park
and brings these chemicals to the lake. Birds from the Park also regularly forage in the fields and ingest the
chemicals. Therefore, there is a high threat of mass mortality due to the chemical pollution. Such an incident of
mortality has happened in January 2015 when total 47 water birds were found dead after feeding in a nearby
chemically polluted field (Banerjee and Prakash, 2015).

There are several poultry farms around the Park which increase the risk of Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza in
the Park. During the outbreak of avian influenza in 2016 in Delhi and its nearby area, three Painted Storks, a
Knob-billed Duck, a Spot-billed Duck and a Jungle Crow was found dead in the Park. Although the reason
behind the death and the post-mortem reports were not revealed the possibility of avian influenza cannot be
ruled out.

With these increasing urbanizations and threats it is necessary to frame and execute a management plan for the
wetland and facilitate conservation efforts.
 Table 1: Species of Global Concern (IUCN 2015) recorded from Sultanpur National Park
Historical Recent Records
S. No. Species Status
data* (2014-16)
1. White-backed Vulture Gyps bengalensis CR √ --
2. Long-billed Vulture Gyps indicus CR √ --
3. Red-headed Vulture Sarcogyps calvus CR √ --
4. Sociable Plover Vanellus gregarious CR √ --
5. Egyptian Vulture Neophron percnopterus EN √ √
6. Saker Falcon Falco cherrug EN √ --
7. Black-bellied Tern Sterna acuticauda EN √ --
8. Dalmatian Pelican Pelecanus crispus VU √ --
9. Lesser Adjutant Leptoptilos javanicus VU √ --
10. Lesser White-fronted Goose Anser erythropus VU √ --
11. Greater Spotted Eagle Aquila clanga VU √ √
12. Eastern Imperial Eagle Aquila heliaca VU √ √
13. Indian Spotted Eagle Aquila hastate VU √ √
14. Pallas’s Fish Eagle Haliaeetus leucoryphus VU -- √
15. Sarus Crane Grus Antigone VU √ √
16. Common Pochard Aythya ferina VU √ √
17. Woolly necked Stork Ciconia episcopu VU √ √
18. Kashmir Flycatcher Ficedula subrubra VU -- √
19. Stoliczka’s Bushchat Saxicola macrorhyncha VU √ --
20. Finn’s Weaver Ploceus megarhynchus VU √ --
21. Falcated Duck Anas falcate NT √ --
22. Ferruginous Duck Aythya nyroca NT √ √
23. Spot-billed Pelican Pelecanus philippensis NT √ --
24. Oriental Darter Anhinga melanogaster NT √ √
25. Painted Stork Mycteria leucocephala NT √ √
26. Black-necked Stork Ephippiorhynchus asiaticus NT √ √
27. Black-headed Ibis Threskiornis melanocephalus NT √ √
28. Lesser Flamingo Phoenicopterus minor NT √ --
29. Lesser Fish-Eagle Ichthyophaga humilis NT √ --
30. Laggar Falcon Falco jugger NT √ --
31. Red-headed Falcon Falco chicquera NT √ --
32. Pallid Harrier Circus macrourus NT √ √
33. Great Thick-knee Esacus recurvirostris NT √ --
34. Black-tailed Godwit Limosa limosa NT √ √
35. Bar-tailed Godwit Limosa lapponica NT -- √
36. River Tern Sterna aurantia NT √ √
37. Alexandrine Parakeet Psittacula eupatria NT √ √

* Historical Data collected from reports of Haryana Forest Department (1970-2000).

Reference:
Banerjee P. and Prakash V. (2015) Monitoring Waterfowl population at Sultanpur National Park, Haryana 2014-
15, Annual Report, Bombay Natural History Society.
Banerjee P. and Prakash V. (2016) Monitoring Waterfowl population at Sultanpur National Park, Haryana 2015-
16, Annual Report, Bombay Natural History Society.
Chopra G., Tyor A.K. and Kumari S. (2012) Status and conservation of avian fauna of Sultanpur National Park
Gurgaon, Haryana (India). Journal of Applied and Natural Science 4 (2): 207-213.
Chopra G., Tyor A.K. and Kumari S. (2013) A study on the wetland avian species of Sultanpur National Park
Gurgaon, Haryana (India). Journal of Research Biology 3 (5) 1032-1040.
Harvey B. (2003) Checklist of the birds of Sultanpur. Retrieved August, 18, 2010 from
http://www.delhibird.net/content/view/73/89.
IUCN (2015) IUCN Red List of threatened species. Version 2015. www.iucnredlist.org.
Kalpavriksh (1994) Small and beautiful Sultanpur National Park. New Delhi.
Kaushik T.K. and Gupta R.C. (2016) Status and diversity of avifauna in Sultanpur National Park in Gurgaon
District-Haryana, India. Indian Forester [S.l.]: 989-998.
Rasmussen P.C. and Anderton J.C. (2012) Birds of South Asia: The Ripley Guide. Vol. 1 & 2. Second Edition.
Sharma M., Sangha H.S., Sridhar S. and Abhinav C. (2013) Long-billed Dowitcher Limnodromus scolopaceus at
Sultanpur National Park, Haryana, India. Indian BIRDS 8 (4): 101–103.
Urfi A.J., Meganathan T. and Kalam A. (2007) Nesting ecology of the Painted Stork, Mycteria leucocephala at
Sultanpur National Park, Haryana, India. Forktail 23 150-153.
Urfi A.J., Meganathan T., Kalam A. and Mahendiran M. (2005) Nesting of Asian Openbill and other heronry
birds at Sultanpur National Park. Indian Birds 6: 10-11.