Sultanpur Bird Sanctuary, Rohtak, Haryana India

Sultanpur Bird Sanctuary is a popular weekend getaway from New Delhi, Gurgaon , Faridabad & Noida , Sultanpur Bird Sanctuary has been declared as National park by Haryana Government. Sultanpur Bird Sanctuary is located in Gurgaon District in Haryana State, Sultanpur is located at 40 kms distance  from Dhaula Kuan in Delhi and 15 km from Gurgaon on the Gurgaon - Farukh Nagar Road. This Bird Sanctuary , ideal for birding and bird watchers, is best visited in winters when a large number of migratory birds come here.

Located at a distance of 46 kms from Delhi, Sultanpur Bird Sanctuary is a haven to a variety of Avifauna in Sultanpur Bird Sanctuarydomestic and migratory birds. Artificial mound, have turned into a green glade. The marsh has been converted into a water body. And with the years, hundreds of species of migratory birds have winged in to stay. Winter brings in birds from as far as Siberia. Flock of geese from Europe wing in too. The local birds flap in. The bird population include darters, egrets shovellers, gadwell and geese dominate. Teals, kingfishers, lapwings, sandpipers demoiselle cranes and such like water birds nestle in. Over 100 species have been identified here.

Sultanpur Bird Sanctuarywas a haunt of our very own birdman Late Dr. Salim Ali: And, innumerable bird watchers who come in to observe bird antics. There are hide outs, watch towers and a museum of sorts for those keen on serious study. Guestrooms and catering wing, await the patrons.

The panoramic rhapsodies of the picturesque state of Haryana are accentuated by its diverse natural heritage. Haryana Wildlife is renown all across the globe for their variety and splendor. The wildlife tours of Haryana are also quite a rage among tourists. Sultanpur Bird Sanctuary has guest house facilities for ornithologists, hideouts, watch towers, bird museum and even binoculars for hire. This bird sanctuary of Haryana is a find of the famous ornithologist Peter Jackson. It was opened in 1972 in a sprawling 44.5 hectare area. More than a 100 different species of birds have been identified here during the season. Of these, the most outstanding visitors have often winged in from Europe and Siberia.

The undisputed monarch of Haryana's wildlife reserves is the Sultanpur Bird Sanctuary, located on the Delhi - Jaipur highway. The sanctuary, founded by India's eminent ornithologist, Dr. Salim Ali, houses variegated species of migratory as well as resident birds. The migratory birds fly from as far as Siberia and the other European countries. Over 100 species of birds that include darters, egrets, shovellers, gadwell and geese, teals, kingfishers, lapwings, sandpipers, demoiselle cranes and other aquatic birds flock to the reserve

Another notable sanctuary is the Saraswati Plantation Wild Life Sanctuary or the Seonsar Forest that spreads across an expanse of 44.53 sq. km and encompasses portions of the districts of districts of Kurukshetra and Kaithal. The dense jungles provide refuge to the Blue Peafowl, Rufous Treepie,Greater Coucal, Indian Grey Hornbill, Coppersmith Barbet and animals like the Wild Boar, Neelgai, Geedar, Langur (Presbytis entellus) and mischievous monkeys.

The Kaleswar Forests covered by dense Sal groves is also another feather in Haryan'a cap. The Haryana Government is deeply concerned about the state's declining natural resources. These exigencies prompted the state's erstwhile Chief Minister, Shri. Om Prakash Chauthala to set up wildlife sanctuaries and vulture breeding centers at Sirsa and Yamunanagar District.

Haryana government has carried out a number of development works at Sultanpur Bird Sanctuary like construction of mounds, and widening of paths, four tube wells have also been dug. Efforts are being made to improve vegetation in area by planting more trees, which are popular with the birds like Acacia Nilotica, Acacia Tortilis, Beris and Neem etc. There are four watch towers (machans) are made  at different points to watch birds easily. Sultanpur Bird Sactuary has parking and other facilities like toilets and drinking water for visitors.

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

Every year more than 100 migratory bird species arrive at Sultanpur in search of feeding grounds and to pass the winter. In winter Sultanpur Bird Sanctuary provides a picturesque panorama of migratory birds such as Siberian Cranes, Greater Flamingo, Ruff, Black winged Stilt, Common Teal, Common Greenshank, Northern Pintail, Yellow Wagtail, White Wagtail, Northern Shoveler, Rosy Pelican, Gadwall, Wood Sandpiper, Spotted Sandpiper, Eurasian Wigeon, Black tailed Godwit, Spotted Redshank, Starling, Bluethroat and Long billed Pipit. Sultanpur Bird Sanctuary has birds in summer too ,About 11 species of migratory birds such as Asian Koel, Black crowned Night Heron, Eurasian Golden Oriole, Comb duck, Blue cheeked Bee Eater, Blue-tailed Bee-Eater and Cuckoos come here.