National Parks in Haryana - UPSC Current Affairs

Haryana has 2 national parks. This includes Sultanpur National Park and Kalesar National Park.

Contents

1. Kalesar National Park

The park is located in the Yamunanagar district of Haryana in India.
It is situated in the Shivalik hills of the Himalayas.
It share border with three states: Himachal Pradesh, Uttaranchal, and Uttar Pradesh.
The park is contiguous to Simbalbara National Park in Himachal Pradesh and Rajaji National Park in Uttarakhand.
In 1996, the Kalesar was declared a Wildlife Sanctuary.
In 2003, a portion of Kalesar Wildlife Sanctuary was declared as Kalesar National Park.
Area: It covers an area of approximately 46 square kilometers.
River: Yamuna River passes through the park and marks park’s eastern border with Uttar Pradesh.
Flora: Sal, Semul, Amaltas, Bahera, Khair, Shisham, Chhal , Teak, Eucalyptus, Lantana, orchids, hibiscus, and rhododendrons etc.
Fauna: Indian Leopard, Leopard Cat, Rusty-spotted Cat, Jungle Cat, Asiatic Elephant, Chital, Sambar, Barking Deer, Indian Crested Porcupine, Common Palm Civet, Himalayan Monal, Crested Serpent Eagle, Indian Cobra, Common Krait, Indian Rock Python etc.
Kalesar Mahadev Temple is a popular pilgrimage site located in the Kalesar National Park.
The park has a 100-year-old colonial dak bungalow.

Sultanpur National Park was formerly known as Sultanpur Bird Sanctuary.
It is located in Gurugram district of Haryana, India.
The park is home to a diverse range of waterfowl species, both resident and migratory.
The park is famous for attracting a large number of migratory birds during the winter months.
The area was originally a hunting ground for the Maharajas (kings) of the region.
In 1969, the local authorities convert Sultanpur into a bird sanctuary.
In April 1971, Sultanpur Bird Sanctuary was officially established under section 8 of the Punjab Wildlife Preservation Act of 1959.
In 1991, it was designated as a National Park under the Wildlife (Protection) Act, 1972.
In 2021, the park was notified as a Ramsar site.
Area: It covers an area of about 1.43 square kilometers (0.55 square miles).
River: Sahibi river flows through the park.
Lake: Sultanpur Jheel located in the Sultanpur National Park and main source of water.
Flora: Dhok, Khair, Banyan , Neem, Dhok, Babul, Ber, Jamun, Lantana, Jatropha, Cenchrus ciliaris, Water lilies, Lotus, Duckweed, Typha, Phragmites, Scirpus, Bougainvillea, Gulmohar etc.
Fauna: Leopard, Blackbuck, Nilgai, Hog Deer, Sambar, Common Hoopoe, Paddy Field Pipit, Purple Sunbird, Grey Francolin, Black-necked Stork, White Ibis, Black-headed Ibis, Asian Green Bee-eater, Siberian Cranes, Greater Flamingo, Demoiselle Crane, Northern Pintail, Monitor Lizards, Indian Pythons etc.