Haryana's Sultanpur Bird Sanctuary soon to be no construction zone

Over 30,000 birds belonging to nearly 250 species flock every winter from across the world including distant regions like Siberia, Europe and Afghanistan to the park rich with lots of shallow water bodies, green cover and marshes.

"The five-km stretch around the sanctuary has already been declared as an Eco-Sensitive Zone (ESZ). The notification banning any construction activity in the region will be issued in a day or two," Neeraj Khatri, Deputy Director, Environment Ministry said.
He said the move aims to protect and preserve the park where pelicans, cormorants, herons, egrets, storks, flamingoes, geese, ducks, magpie Robin, yello wagtail, spotted redshank, darters and many other colourful foreign winged species are regulars.
Besides, it is also home to exotic species of animals like the leopard, sambar, nilgai, hog deer, striped hyena, four-horned antelope, blackbuck and Indian porcupine.
As per law after the mandatory two months inviting suggestions and objections freom the general public, the area has been declared as ESZ covering over 20 villages, says Khatri.

The notification would put a ban industrial and other developmental activities which can adversely affect the park's flora and fauna.
"The state government will have to prepare a zonal master plan giving details for restoration of denuded areas, management of catchment areas, watershed and ground water management, soil and moisture conservation etc," says Khatri.
No change of land use or polluting industry will be allowed while discharge of any untreated effluents is prohibited within the eco-sensitive zone.
"Only non-polluting, non-hazardous small scale and service industries, agriculture, floriculture, horticulture and agro based industries will be permitted henceforth in the area," the Deputy Director added.
The State Government has been asked to set up a ten-member monitoring committee under the chairmanship of Gurgaon deputy commissioner to ensure monitoring and compliance of the law.
The park which is surrounded by Sultanpur village, Chandu village, Sadhrana village and Kaliwas was declared a Bird Sanctuary in 1971 and was upgraded to the status of National Park in 1991.