The Principal Secretary

Department of Fores

And

Principal Chief Conservator of Forest

Government of Haryana

Haryana.

Sub: Appeal to Rescind Order to Close

Sultanpur National Park, Gurgaon

From May to September and on Tuesdays

This is with reference to the order to close Sultanpur National Park (SNP) from Ist May to 30 September every year.

We wish, first, to highlight the fact that Sultanpur Bird Sanctuary had always been open 365 days until the incident in June 2010. First, a decision was taken to close for a little while and then the closure was extended till September 2010. Thereafter, the Bird Sanctuary is closed every year. Also, the Sanctuary is now closed every Tuesday as also the timing for Sanctuary to remain open is now 09.30 to 17.30 hours.

While some senior and prominent bird watchers have interacted and requested for the Sanctuary to remain open, this is a formal appeal by the undersigned Bird Watchers and Nature Lovers to please review and rescind the order to close Sultanpur National Park – predominantly a Bird Sanctuary – from 1st May to 30th September each year and then on every Tuesday. Also, we appeal that the weekly close be done away with. Also, the timing be restored to as it was prior to 2010.

The Sanctuary is home to about 300 Species and is particularly a place for the Resident Bird Species to breed and be seen during the summer months along with the Species that migrate during the Summer. The Sanctuary had been and continues to be one of best place for bird watching in Summer Months in the National Capital Region.

It would also not be out of place to state that all Bird Sanctuaries – Bharatpur, Nal Sarovar, Ranganathittu and so on across India remain open through out the year as do all other Sanctuaries in Haryana as well. There is really no reason for this Sanctuary to close during summers. Some National Parks do close during the year but then these are closed since these become completely inaccessible particularly in Monsoons.

Bird Watchers have been known to help Authorities in many ways. They act as observers to study and record the aspects that help in conservation. They bring expertise in various aspects of Nature – Birds, Mammals, Insects, Reptiles, Acquatic Life and so on. It would only help the authorities if the Bird Watching is permitted through out the year.