Central Idea

The Sultanpur National Park has observed a 20-30% decrease in the number of migratory birds this season, as reported by forest department officials.
Estimates show a reduction in bird numbers, with current figures ranging between 8,000 to 10,000, compared to the expected 15,000.

About Sultanpur National Park

Sultanpur NP is located at Sultanpur village on Gurugram-Jhajjar highway, 15 km from Gurugram, Haryana and 50 km from Delhi.
It was a bird sanctuary, ideal for birding and bird lookers. Its area covers approximately 142.52 hectares.
Migratory birds start arriving in the park in September. Birds use the park as a resting place till the following March-April.
During summer and monsoon months the park is inhabited by many local bird species.
In April 1971, the Sultanpur Jheel inside the park (an area of 1.21 sq. km.) was accorded Sanctuary status under section 8 of the Punjab Wildlife Preservation Act of 1959.
The status of the park was upgraded to National Park in July 1991 under the Wildlife (Protection) Act, 1972.

Spanning 1.42 sq km, it is recognized as a national park, wildlife sanctuary, and a Ramsar site since 2021.
It is one of the few NPs in the small state of Haryana.
Another NP in Haryana is Kalesar National Park.

Typical Arrival: Migratory birds usually begin arriving in the first week of October.
Annual Visitation: By the end of January each year, around 22,000 birds visit Sultanpur Park. However, this year’s numbers are anticipated to be much lower.

Temperature Changes: Wildlife experts suggests that milder winters in regions like Siberia, Central Asia, and Europe might be influencing migration patterns.
Food Availability: If migratory birds continue to find sufficient food in their native regions, they may not feel compelled to migrate.
Local Climate Impact: The local temperature at Sultanpur Park has not dropped significantly to align with the birds’ migratory patterns.
Effect of Smog: Smog and air pollution could also be contributing factors to the altered migratory behavior.