Flamingos find new home at Sultanpur National Park

Gurgaon: Sultanpur National Park, a renowned bird sanctuary in Haryana, is a new haven for flamingos. Around a dozen of these birds, which historically preferred the nearby Najafgarh wetland, are now making the national park their home.

The park's waterbody has adequate algae and water, providing the necessary food and habitat for flamingos, the Sultanpur park management team said, adding, "This is the main reason for their attraction to the park."

The 350-acre Sultanpur wetland, designated a Ramsar site, is located along the Gurgaon-Jhajjar highway. Historically, Sultanpur was a salt water habitat that attracted birds like flamingos and pelicans. However, as the lake dried up and canal water was introduced, it became more suitable for freshwater birds.

The national park is now working to restore part of Sultanpur's original ecosystem, providing a crucial stopover for flamingos migrating from Mediterranean Europe and East Africa.

Flamingos, with their distinct pink feathers and large wingspans, are classified as ‘near threatened' by International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) due to limited information about their population and few breeding sites worldwide.

"The presence of flamingos in Sultanpur National Park is a significant step towards the conservation of this near-threatened species. Our efforts to create a suitable habitat for these birds paid off in preserving natural ecosystems and supporting wildlife," park's wildlife inspector Joyti Kumar said.

With these efforts, Sultanpur National Park is poised to become a key destination for flamingo sightings, contributing to the conservation of this near-threatened species and enriching the bird-watching experience for visitors.

Meanwhile, bird experts pointed out that the presence of a good water level is a key factor in attracting birds to the national park. Every summer, the forest department adds 5 cusecs of water into the park's lake.

"Flamingos are generally found in the area. If they are now present in the park, it means that because of the presence of water in the lake, they are attracted to it. This is a good sign as the resident birds will be breeding soon and the park will provide an ideal environment," Pankaj Gupta, a birder of the Delhi Bird Society, said.

Of the resident and migratory birds that make the wetland their home, at least ten species — including the sociable lapwing — are critically endangered.

Sultanpur hosts around 30,000 birds in the winter and these include waders (water-dependent birds), ducks (which require slightly deeper water) and warblers (who prefer reeds).