The winter guests have begun to land at the Sultanpur National Park,with officials claiming that more than 50 species of migratory birds have already arrived. The authorities hope to host more than 50,000 winged visitors this season,during the peak winter months of December and January. Already,more than 10,000 birds of 35 foreign species have arrived at the park,mainly from Siberia,Europe and Central Asia. A few of the birds have flown in from other parts of India as well. According to officials,this is the best time for bird watchers to visit the park. Among the foreign birds that have already arrived are Common Crane,Common Pochard,Mallard and Greylag Goose. This is just the beginning of the season,but the attendance is good already. I usually come every year,and this visit was just to see whether the birds have started arriving. I have not even bought my tele-lenses this time. But going by the large numbers,I know I will have to come back soon, said Avinash,a bird lover who lives in Okhla,South Delhi. Wildlife inspectors at the National Park said many of the birds that come to the area are on the verge of extinction. They said birds like the White Crane,which used to come to the park during the season,has stopped coming altogether. While a large flock starts off towards the park,not all survive the journey,an official said. Taking cue from the decrease in the number of migratory birds a few years ago due to lack of water in the parks lake,officials have ensured that the waterbody has enough to attract the birds this season. Water has been diverted from the Gurgaon Water Canal to the lake,to keep it from drying up. District Forest Officer Kulwinder Singh told Newsline,To ensure better view for the bird watchers,we have undertaken the task of weed removal. Although the rainfall was less,water from the canal has been assured. Extra plantation has been done and different varieties of fish are in the water. He said around 20,000 birds,foreign and from India,have already arrived. We have plans of digging another five acres of land to make space for another lake. Apart from that,towers are also been set up for bird watchers, said Singh.
