Sultanpur Bird Sanctuary & National Park

Sultanpur Bird Sanctuary, founded by Dr. Salim Ali is situated 16 km from Gurgaon district of Haryana. 50 km from Delhi  on the Gurgaon - Farukh Nagar Road, it is a small bird sanctuary. Both its rustic natural surroundings and the varieties of birds make it an ideal destination for the nature and bird lovers. The park covering an area of 143sq.km. has tropical and dry deciduous forests consisting of babul savannah grasses, acacia, jamun, banyans etc. 

The  Park was originally an area of mostly marshy land where water accumulates during rains and dries out in summer. In time the marshy land coupled with number of organisms like crustaceans, fish and insects started to attract number of birds includes migratory birds. The potential of Sultanpur was first recognised by the world famous ornithologist, Mr. Peter Jackson and the area was landscaped and suitable vegetation planted to attract more birds. It was declared a Bird Sanctuary in 1971 and was upgraded to the status of National Park in 1991 by Haryana Government.

Flora
The park has tropical and dry deciduous forests, which consist of Babul, Savannah grasses, Acacia, Jamun and Banyan trees.

Fauna
The park is well known for migratory and indigenous birds. Almost  250 species of resident and migratory birds have been recorded in Sultanpur Park. Migratory geese from Europe and Siberian cranes spend the winter in Sultanpur and there are also the Demoiselle cranes, Ruddy shelducks, Pelicans, Flamingoes, Bar-headed geese, Spotted sandpiper, Darters, Grey lags, Gadwalls, Mallards, Pochards, Shovellers and Teals. Local species include plovers, Red-wattled lapwings, Herons, Cormorants, Egrets, White ibises, Spoonbills and Painted storks. The Sultanpur lake around which the park is situated provides a haven for the huge variety of birds and some reptiles.

The sanctuary is home to hundreds of  various mammals like Blackbuck, Blue bull, Nilgai, Hog deer, Sambar, Wild dog or dhole, Caracal, Wild cat, Hedgehog, Mongoose, Striped hyena, Indian porcupine, Rattle badger, Leopard, Wild pig, and Four horned antelope.

Facilities 

Besides bird-watching, the park has provided the facilities of an education and interpretation centre, a library, films, slides and binoculars. Boating facility is also available in the lake situated within the park.
A room dedicated to the memory of Dr. Salim Ali, which contains his bust, photographs, write ups, and some of his personal effects. There is public parking, bathrooms, drinking water facilities and a children's park in the reserve. For those wishing to stay overnight, the park also has a well appointed guest house with all amenities.

When to Visit : 

The park is best visited in winters when a large number of migratory birds arrive. For the benefit of bird lovers certain facilities have been provided like an education and interpretation centre, a library as well as films, slides and binoculars. There are hideouts and four watch towers located at different points. There is also boating facility in the Sultanpur lake inside the park.