Sultanpur sanctuary to remain closed from May 1

The Sultanpur National Park will remain closed for visitors from May 1 onwards due to maintenance work. The annual practice was started last year.

The Sultanpur National Park will remain closed for visitors from May 1 onwards due to maintenance work. The annual practice was started last year.

HT Image

According to officials, the 359-acre national park is a seasonal wetland and not a perennial one. Hence, the water will dry up. “Moreover, it is not a pleasant tourist spot as it becomes too hot in the summers. The practice was started because we needed some time to carry out maintenance work too, such as digging of the lake and cleaning up the park,” said Vinod Kumar, wildlife conservator.

In addition, the park, which is closed every Monday, attracts a lot of couples. “If it remains open, the local villagers or college students come here to spend time with their loved ones and dirty the place. They litter the park with plastic bags, bottles, wrappers, and also disturb the birds. This affects the flora and fauna,” added Kumar.

The bird sanctuary, which is home to more than 45,000 domestic and migratory birds, had witnessed a heavy footfall of 56,322 visitors in 2012, the highest in the last three years. In 2011 and 2010, the park saw a footfall of about 41,500 and 31,900, respectively.

The Sultanpur National Park is renowned for its migratory birds. The park has three large watch towers specially erected for a panoramic view of birds.