The Sultanpur Lake and Bird Sanctuary

Gurgaon, as such is not a very popular tourist destination. However there is no doubt that there are various sights and sounds around the City that are a must visit. If you ask around Gurgaon, Delhi or the NCR as to what are the sight seeing destinations around Gurgaon then the first name that you will hear is the Sultanpur Lake and Bird Sanctuary

Founding and Location

The great ornithologist, Dr. Salim Ali founded the Sultanpur Bird Sanctuary which is located at a distance of 16 km from Gurgaon in Gurgaon District, in the State of Haryana. Its close proximity to Gurgaon and Delhi sees the Bird Sanctuary situated around the Sultanpur Lake attract numerous visitors throughout the year. The sanctuary is smaller in comparison to the various other bird sanctuaries in India like the Bharatpur bird sanctuary amongst others, however, the location is such that it attracts numerous birds. So bird watchers won't be disappointed in the least.

The Sanctuary

The precincts of the sanctuary are lush with green grass, trees, shrubs, and masses of bougainvillea. The foliage is tailor made to attract birds of all types and visitors can immerse themselves in the beauty of nature at its best when they visit the sanctuary. Moreover, the sanctuary also has a small museum that has displays of birds and also some ancillary showcase of other aspects related to birds. Moreover, there is also a library that contains books on birds. If you are interested in your feathered friends then a turn about the museum and the library will be as informative as a turn about the bird sanctuary.

When you visit the Sultanpur Bird Sanctuary do not forget to carry a good pair of binoculars, which are of paramount importance if you want to observe wildlife clearly, albeit at a distance that does not disturb them.

The Lake

The Lake enhances the innate beauty of the Sultanpur Bird Sancatuary. Moreover, it offers another attraction apart from the birds. If you want a reason to visit a particular place, then two reasons are definitely better than one. Surprisingly, there are very few trees that block the view of the Lake. One can see birds, wading in the water, swimming or even catching fishes from the water. If you want to indulge in some boating activity in the Lake then forget about it. Use of the Lake by humans in any way or form is prohibited and this is precisely the reason why birds thrive in the regions surrounding the Lake

The Birds of the Sanctuary

Some of the birds that you can find in the Sultanpur Bird Sanctuary are the Egrets, Back Necked Storks, White Ibis, Spoonbills, Grey Pelicans, Cormorants, Grey Pond Herons, Mallards, Bar-Headed Goose, Spotted Sandpiper, Teals, Herons, Red Wattle Saplings, and Pelicans etc amongst various others. It really does not matter if you are bird watcher or not, the seeming majesty of your surroundings will be enough to mesmerize you with their beauty. All you need to do is relax and enjoy the environs of the Sultanpur Lake and Bird Sanctuary and let nature take its course.