 |
Wetlands in Sultanpur Jheel , Sultanpur Jheel in Haryana, Sultanpur Jheel , Sultanpur Jheel Haryana. |
 |
SULTANPUR JHEELS - Haryana
Location: in Gurgaon district, 15 km west of Gurgaon and 45 km southwest of New Delhi, Haryana state
Area: 13,727 ha including a core area of 144 ha containing the main lake (c.96 ha)
Altitude: 220-230 m
Biogeographical province: 4.8.4 Wetland type: 14, 15,18,19
Description of site: A group of shallow freshwater lakes and associated marshes on rolling cultivated plains southwest of Delhi. The lakes and marshes flood during the monsoon and, in years of adequate rainfall, retain water until at least March or April. Some of the jheels, including the main lake in the Bird Sanctuary, have been increased in size by the construction of embankments (bunds). A large area of seasonally flooded sedge marsh extends north from the main lake. In recent years of low rainfall, only a few small pools have remained by midwinter, some 30 cm in depth. Consequently, pumping of groundwater is undertaken each year to maintain some waterfowl habitat. Surrounding areas are cultivated, heavily grazed, and for the most part rather degraded. The land slopes gently northwards through a region of innumerable stabilised sand dunes; the climate and soils are not conducive to the existence of permanent water bodies, and thus saline flashes predominate by late winter even in years of normal monsoon rainfall Climatic conditions: Ganges Monsoon climate with scanty rainfall, very similar to that of Delhi. The monsoon rains have been well below average in several recent years
Principal vegetation: There are small areas of Typha sp., and Phragmites sp., around several of the jheels, and some emergent vegetation within the lakes, particularly in the core area. Extensive sedge marshes, particularly to the north of the main lake, forma loose mosaic with areas of dry grassland. The natural vegetation of the region is semi-arid scrub, but 78% of the buffer zone is under cultivation
Land tenure: The core area (144 ha) is state-owned (State Wildlife Department); the surrounding areas are under private or village panchayat control
Conservation measures taken: A core area of 144 ha, including the main lake, was declared a Bird Sanctuary by the Haryana State Government in April 1971. In 1991, Sultanpur was upgraded to National Park status The Park is administered by the Wildlife Department and adjoining tourist complex by the Haryana Tourism Development Corporation. The Park is under the control of the Divisional Forest Officer, Gurgaon, assisted by a Range Officer, an Inspector of Wildlife, and their staff. All hunting has been prohibited within a radius of 10 km of the core area. Acacias have been planted on islands in the main lake to attract breeding birds
Conservation measures proposed: A study by the Environmental Services Group of WWF INDIA (1987) has suggested several possible management approaches which take into account the prevailing land-use practices and the local resource needs of the area. These include: (a) better demarcation of the buffer zone, which should include the catchment area of the wetlands; (b) the planting of salt-tolerant species such as Tamarix sp., and Sesbania bispinosa at the wetlands; (c) reafforestation in surrounding areas with ground cover and deep-rooted trees to stabilise the soil. This vegetation would reduce surface run-off velocity, thereby reducing siltation, and would serve as windbreaks reducing the amount of windblown sand and silt. The vegetation would help to reduce the rate of evapo-transpiration, thereby maintaining the water in the wetlands for a longer period, and would also provide shelter and nesting habitat for waterbirds. The Environmental Services Group also recommended that land-use patterns in surrounding areas be modified; that there should be a change in cropping patterns to rotational and mixed cropping, and in areas where dry farming takes place, permanent cropping should be promoted, e.g. Zizyphus spp., Vigna spp., Cajanus cajan, Psidium guava and Morns albs. Livestock grazing should be prohibited near the wetlands, and social forestry should be encouraged in order to prevent the unscrupulous cutting of trees for fodder and fuel. All industrial activities should be banned and steps taken immediately to reclaim the quarried areas for social forestry and agriculture. Pisciculture might be encouraged at some of the wetlands, and additional grazing land should be provided through planting to reduce overall grazing pressure. The Government of Haryana proposed to undertake the following activities during the Eighth Five Year plan: desilting of the lake; developing educational and interpretation facilities on trails inside the Park; initiating research programmes for bird migration and studying the’bird diversity; procuring of water for the park from Gurgaon water supply
Land use: The core area is managed primarily as a waterfowl reserve and tourist attraction. The buffer zone encompasses 17 revenue villages. Local villagers graze their livestock within the Sanctuary, and gather aquatic vegetation for thatch and fodder, although this has become illegal since the area was declared a National Park Disturbances and threats: Small numbers of cattle and water buffalo are grazed within the Sanctuary, but there is no fishing or human activity on the lake itself. There is a high level of disturbance from tourist activity, particularly when water levels are low and the birds are concentrated in a small area. Siltation caused by soil erosion in the catchment area is increasing. The excavation of sand for nearby lime and brick industries also poses a serious threat to the Sanctuary. Land-use practices in the catchment - expanding settlements, and construction of farmhouses and other buildings have impeded the natural flow of water into the lake, with the result that the wetland is drying up. Monsoon failure and siltation on account of windblown dust settling in the lake have accentuated the problem. Except fora brief spell after the rains, pools of water have to be artificially maintained by pumping up groundwater. Many of the surrounding waterbodies have been reclaimed for cultivation Economic and social values: Situated only 45 km from Delhi, the Sanctuary has rapidly become an important centre for outdoor recreation, notably bird-watching, and provides excellent opportunities for scientific research and conservation education Fauna: In years of adequate rainfall, a very important wintering area for a wide variey of waterfowl, notably pelicans, ducks, geese, and cranes. Waterfowl observed during a brief survey in January 1986 included: 450 Pelecanus onocrotalus,15 P.crispus, 150 Phalacrocorax carbo, 70 herons and egrets of seven species, 35 Mycteria leucocephala , 200 Platalea leucorodia, 150 Phoenicopterus ruber, 100 Anser anser, 350 A. indicus,120 Grus grus, 500 Fulica atra, 50 Chlidonias hybrids, and over 12,000 ducks of 12 species (mainly wigeon, gadwall, common teal, shoveler, pochard) and small numbers of shorebirds of 20 species. Noteworthy species recorded in small numbers included white necked stork, white ibis, black ibis, spoonbill, comb duck, sarus crane, purple moorhen, painted snipe. As many as 250 Pelecanus crispus, 300 Platalea leucorodia, 200 Phoenicopterus ruber and 800 Grus grus have been reported in other winters, and Anthropoides virgo has been recorded on migration. Following the failure of the monsoon in 1986, the wetland was much reduced in size, and less than a thousand waterfowl were present in January 1987. No information is available on the breeding birds. The trees planted on islands in the main lake are still too small to support sizeable numbers of breeding herons and storks, but the situation will doubtless improve as the trees mature. Many species of raptors occur in the area, including the Imperial eagle, greater spotted eagle, and tawny eagle and marsh harrier (Circus aeruginousus)
Special floral values: None known
Research and facilities: Some waterfowl censuses have been carried out, and the avifauna has been well documented. Sharma (1985) has produced a checklist of the birds of the Sanctuary. WWF INDIA (1992), in collaboration with the Centre for Environment Education, Ahmedabad, has prepared the plan for a visitor interpretation programme for the Sultanpur lake. There is an extensive area of tourist development at the reserve headquarters, with provision of a guest house, restaurant, small museum, formal gardens, and picnic area
Location: in Gurgaon district, 15 km west of Gurgaon and 45 km southwest of New Delhi, Haryana state
Area: 13,727 ha including a core area of 144 ha containing the main lake (c.96 ha)
Altitude: 220-230 m
Biogeographical province: 4.8.4 Wetland type: 14, 15,18,19
Description of site: A group of shallow freshwater lakes and associated marshes on rolling cultivated plains southwest of Delhi. The lakes and marshes flood during the monsoon and, in years of adequate rainfall, retain water until at least March or April. Some of the jheels, including the main lake in the Bird Sanctuary, have been increased in size by the construction of embankments (bunds). A large area of seasonally flooded sedge marsh extends north from the main lake. In recent years of low rainfall, only a few small pools have remained by midwinter, some 30 cm in depth. Consequently, pumping of groundwater is undertaken each year to maintain some waterfowl habitat. Surrounding areas are cultivated, heavily grazed, and for the most part rather degraded. The land slopes gently northwards through a region of innumerable stabilised sand dunes; the climate and soils are not conducive to the existence of permanent water bodies, and thus saline flashes predominate by late winter even in years of normal monsoon rainfall Climatic conditions: Ganges Monsoon climate with scanty rainfall, very similar to that of Delhi. The monsoon rains have been well below average in several recent years
Principal vegetation: There are small areas of Typha sp., and Phragmites sp., around several of the jheels, and some emergent vegetation within the lakes, particularly in the core area. Extensive sedge marshes, particularly to the north of the main lake, forma loose mosaic with areas of dry grassland. The natural vegetation of the region is semi-arid scrub, but 78% of the buffer zone is under cultivation
Land tenure: The core area (144 ha) is state-owned (State Wildlife Department); the surrounding areas are under private or village panchayat control
Conservation measures taken: A core area of 144 ha, including the main lake, was declared a Bird Sanctuary by the Haryana State Government in April 1971. In 1991, Sultanpur was upgraded to National Park status The Park is administered by the Wildlife Department and adjoining tourist complex by the Haryana Tourism Development Corporation. The Park is under the control of the Divisional Forest Officer, Gurgaon, assisted by a Range Officer, an Inspector of Wildlife, and their staff. All hunting has been prohibited within a radius of 10 km of the core area. Acacias have been planted on islands in the main lake to attract breeding birds
Conservation measures proposed: A study by the Environmental Services Group of WWF INDIA (1987) has suggested several possible management approaches which take into account the prevailing land-use practices and the local resource needs of the area. These include: (a) better demarcation of the buffer zone, which should include the catchment area of the wetlands; (b) the planting of salt-tolerant species such as Tamarix sp., and Sesbania bispinosa at the wetlands; (c) reafforestation in surrounding areas with ground cover and deep-rooted trees to stabilise the soil. This vegetation would reduce surface run-off velocity, thereby reducing siltation, and would serve as windbreaks reducing the amount of windblown sand and silt. The vegetation would help to reduce the rate of evapo-transpiration, thereby maintaining the water in the wetlands for a longer period, and would also provide shelter and nesting habitat for waterbirds. The Environmental Services Group also recommended that land-use patterns in surrounding areas be modified; that there should be a change in cropping patterns to rotational and mixed cropping, and in areas where dry farming takes place, permanent cropping should be promoted, e.g. Zizyphus spp., Vigna spp., Cajanus cajan, Psidium guava and Morns albs. Livestock grazing should be prohibited near the wetlands, and social forestry should be encouraged in order to prevent the unscrupulous cutting of trees for fodder and fuel. All industrial activities should be banned and steps taken immediately to reclaim the quarried areas for social forestry and agriculture. Pisciculture might be encouraged at some of the wetlands, and additional grazing land should be provided through planting to reduce overall grazing pressure. The Government of Haryana proposed to undertake the following activities during the Eighth Five Year plan: desilting of the lake; developing educational and interpretation facilities on trails inside the Park; initiating research programmes for bird migration and studying the’bird diversity; procuring of water for the park from Gurgaon water supply
Land use: The core area is managed primarily as a waterfowl reserve and tourist attraction. The buffer zone encompasses 17 revenue villages. Local villagers graze their livestock within the Sanctuary, and gather aquatic vegetation for thatch and fodder, although this has become illegal since the area was declared a National Park Disturbances and threats: Small numbers of cattle and water buffalo are grazed within the Sanctuary, but there is no fishing or human activity on the lake itself. There is a high level of disturbance from tourist activity, particularly when water levels are low and the birds are concentrated in a small area. Siltation caused by soil erosion in the catchment area is increasing. The excavation of sand for nearby lime and brick industries also poses a serious threat to the Sanctuary. Land-use practices in the catchment - expanding settlements, and construction of farmhouses and other buildings have impeded the natural flow of water into the lake, with the result that the wetland is drying up. Monsoon failure and siltation on account of windblown dust settling in the lake have accentuated the problem. Except fora brief spell after the rains, pools of water have to be artificially maintained by pumping up groundwater. Many of the surrounding waterbodies have been reclaimed for cultivation Economic and social values: Situated only 45 km from Delhi, the Sanctuary has rapidly become an important centre for outdoor recreation, notably bird-watching, and provides excellent opportunities for scientific research and conservation education Fauna: In years of adequate rainfall, a very important wintering area for a wide variey of waterfowl, notably pelicans, ducks, geese, and cranes. Waterfowl observed during a brief survey in January 1986 included: 450 Pelecanus onocrotalus,15 P.crispus, 150 Phalacrocorax carbo, 70 herons and egrets of seven species, 35 Mycteria leucocephala , 200 Platalea leucorodia, 150 Phoenicopterus ruber, 100 Anser anser, 350 A. indicus,120 Grus grus, 500 Fulica atra, 50 Chlidonias hybrids, and over 12,000 ducks of 12 species (mainly wigeon, gadwall, common teal, shoveler, pochard) and small numbers of shorebirds of 20 species. Noteworthy species recorded in small numbers included white necked stork, white ibis, black ibis, spoonbill, comb duck, sarus crane, purple moorhen, painted snipe. As many as 250 Pelecanus crispus, 300 Platalea leucorodia, 200 Phoenicopterus ruber and 800 Grus grus have been reported in other winters, and Anthropoides virgo has been recorded on migration. Following the failure of the monsoon in 1986, the wetland was much reduced in size, and less than a thousand waterfowl were present in January 1987. No information is available on the breeding birds. The trees planted on islands in the main lake are still too small to support sizeable numbers of breeding herons and storks, but the situation will doubtless improve as the trees mature. Many species of raptors occur in the area, including the Imperial eagle, greater spotted eagle, and tawny eagle and marsh harrier (Circus aeruginousus)
Special floral values: None known
Research and facilities: Some waterfowl censuses have been carried out, and the avifauna has been well documented. Sharma (1985) has produced a checklist of the birds of the Sanctuary. WWF INDIA (1992), in collaboration with the Centre for Environment Education, Ahmedabad, has prepared the plan for a visitor interpretation programme for the Sultanpur lake. There is an extensive area of tourist development at the reserve headquarters, with provision of a guest house, restaurant, small museum, formal gardens, and picnic area
For Wetlands in Sultanpur Jheel
 |
| Sponsors: Silver JewelryRanthambore, Silver Jewelry Thailand, Web Design CompanyRanthambore, Ranthambore Directory | |
| Site Designed by: Web DesignRanthambore, Partners: Web Design Canada, Web Design Texas, Web Design New York, Website DesignRanthambore | Member: Advertising inRanthambore |