Lal Suhanra Nartional park was declared a national park on 26 October 1972, following recommendations made by the Wildlife Enquiry Committee in 1971. Originally, the park comprised an area of 31,355ha, of which 20,932ha were desert, 8,488ha irrigated forest plantation and 1,934ha reservoir.
This park is ideal for recreation, education or research but shooting is forbidden. The park, 36 km to the east of Bahawalpur, is a combination of natural lake and forest on 77480 acres of land and spreads over on both sides of the Bahawalpur canal. It is crossed by the dried-up bed of the Hakra River and features an important wetland, Patisar Lake. Blackbuck became virtually extinct in the Cholistan Desert but the species has been re-introduced in Lal Suhanra within large enclosures, together with Chinkara gazelle, Nilgai antelope, Hog deer and Indian rhinoceros. There is big lake in the center of the park called Patisar Lake, which is ideal for bird watching. Patisar Lake regularly holds between 10,000 and 30,000 ducks and common coot in mid-winter. Over 13,00 waterfowl were present in January 1987. The park also supports a large population of birds of prey.
The Punjnad Head Works is located 12 Km away from Uch Sharif where all the five rivers of Punjab meet. It is a nice picnic spot with scenic beauty. It is 55 Km from Bahawalpur and the residential headquarters of the Nawabs of Bahawalpur. Almost every Nawab has built a palace for himself at this place. Sadiq Gargh palace built during the rule of Nawab Sir Sadiq Muhammad Khan IV between 1882-1885 is the finest building there. The old fort of Munde Shahid, 50 Km from Bahawalpur and Marot Fort are considered to be antiquities. A place outside the Marot Fort is known as 'Baithak Maula Ali'. The tomb of Naugaza is located in the Munde Sharif Fort. It is 30 Km from Bahawalpur. It is said that there are seven tombs known as 'Ali Ashab'. These tombs are said to be of the companions of Holy Prophet (peace be upon him). There is a tower in the centre of four similar smaller towers at this place, which are believed to form a Buddhist monastery. Cholistan is locally known as Rohi. This famous desert is 30 Km from Bahawalpur and comprises of an area of 16,000 sq km, which stretches up to the Thar desert extending over to Sindh. The word Cholistan is derived from 'Cholna' which means moving. The people of Cholistan lead a semi-nomadic life, moving from one place to another in search of water and fodder for their animals. Uch, 75 km from Bahawalpur, is a very old town. It is believed that it existed even in 500 B.C. Some historians believe that Uch was there even before the advent of Bikramajit when Jains and Buddhists ruled over the sub-continent. At the time of the invasion by Alexander the Great, Uch was under Hindu rule. Some historians say that Alexander came to Uch after conquering northern parts of India and spent over a fortnight in the city and renamed it Alexandria. Some have mentioned Uch by the name of Sikandara or Iskalanda. They have described it as the most flourishing and beautiful town perched upon the plateau near the confluence of the Chenab and Ravi rivers. Famous shrines existing at Uch include those of Hazrat Bahawal Haleem, Hazrat Jalaluddin Surkh Bukhari, Makhdoom Jahanian Jehangasht, Bibi Jawandi and Shaikh Saifuddin Ghazrooni etc.
Wildlife:
Mammals in the park include Nilgai antelope, Black buck, Chinkara gazelle, Hog deer, Indian fox, Jackal, Desert Hare, Porcupine, Caracal cat, Moongoose, Jungle cat, Indian Wolf (rare),Wild boar, and Indian rhino (introduced).
While Birds may include Houbara bustard, Griffon vulture, Honey buzzard, Marsh harrier, Hen harrier, Laggar falcon, Peregrine falcon, Kestrel, Indian sparrow hawk, Egyptian vulture, Larks, Shrikes, Wheatears and Barn Owl. Some Reptiles located in the park are Monitor lizard, Russells viper, Indian cobra, Saw scaled viper and Spiny tailed lizard. For tourists who love to be in the wilderness, Lal-Suhanra Park is the best place to be!
Mammals:
Mammals in the park include--Long-eared Hedgehog (C), Nilgai antelope (T), Black buck (T), Chinkara gazelle (V), Hog deer (T), Red fox (C), Bengal Fox (V), Golden Jackal (C), Porcupine (C), Caracal cat (R), Moongoose (C), Jungle cat (C), Indian Wolf (R), Wild boar (C), Honey Badger or Ratel (?), Little Civet (?), Indian (Black-naped) Hare (C), Smooth-coated Otter (V) and Indian rhino (introduced) (T).
Note: T=Threatened, V=Vulnerable, R=Rare, C=Common, ?=Unknown.
Birds:
Total species: 160
Birds in the park are--Houbara bustard, Griffon vulture, Honey buzzard, Marsh harrier, Hen harrier, Laggar falcon, Peregrine falcon, Kestrel, Indian sparrow hawk, Egyptian vulture, Larks, Shrikes, Wheatears and Barn Owl.
Reptiles:
Reptiles in the park are-- Monitor lizard, Russell's viper, Indian cobra, Saw scaled viper, Wolf snake, John's sand boa and Spiny tailed lizard.
This park is ideal for recreation, education or research but shooting is forbidden. The park, 36 km to the east of Bahawalpur, is a combination of natural lake and forest on 77480 acres of land and spreads over on both sides of the Bahawalpur canal. It is crossed by the dried-up bed of the Hakra River and features an important wetland, Patisar Lake. Blackbuck became virtually extinct in the Cholistan Desert but the species has been re-introduced in Lal Suhanra within large enclosures, together with Chinkara gazelle, Nilgai antelope, Hog deer and Indian rhinoceros. There is big lake in the center of the park called Patisar Lake, which is ideal for bird watching. Patisar Lake regularly holds between 10,000 and 30,000 ducks and common coot in mid-winter. Over 13,00 waterfowl were present in January 1987. The park also supports a large population of birds of prey.
The Punjnad Head Works is located 12 Km away from Uch Sharif where all the five rivers of Punjab meet. It is a nice picnic spot with scenic beauty. It is 55 Km from Bahawalpur and the residential headquarters of the Nawabs of Bahawalpur. Almost every Nawab has built a palace for himself at this place. Sadiq Gargh palace built during the rule of Nawab Sir Sadiq Muhammad Khan IV between 1882-1885 is the finest building there. The old fort of Munde Shahid, 50 Km from Bahawalpur and Marot Fort are considered to be antiquities. A place outside the Marot Fort is known as 'Baithak Maula Ali'. The tomb of Naugaza is located in the Munde Sharif Fort. It is 30 Km from Bahawalpur. It is said that there are seven tombs known as 'Ali Ashab'. These tombs are said to be of the companions of Holy Prophet (peace be upon him). There is a tower in the centre of four similar smaller towers at this place, which are believed to form a Buddhist monastery. Cholistan is locally known as Rohi. This famous desert is 30 Km from Bahawalpur and comprises of an area of 16,000 sq km, which stretches up to the Thar desert extending over to Sindh. The word Cholistan is derived from 'Cholna' which means moving. The people of Cholistan lead a semi-nomadic life, moving from one place to another in search of water and fodder for their animals. Uch, 75 km from Bahawalpur, is a very old town. It is believed that it existed even in 500 B.C. Some historians believe that Uch was there even before the advent of Bikramajit when Jains and Buddhists ruled over the sub-continent. At the time of the invasion by Alexander the Great, Uch was under Hindu rule. Some historians say that Alexander came to Uch after conquering northern parts of India and spent over a fortnight in the city and renamed it Alexandria. Some have mentioned Uch by the name of Sikandara or Iskalanda. They have described it as the most flourishing and beautiful town perched upon the plateau near the confluence of the Chenab and Ravi rivers. Famous shrines existing at Uch include those of Hazrat Bahawal Haleem, Hazrat Jalaluddin Surkh Bukhari, Makhdoom Jahanian Jehangasht, Bibi Jawandi and Shaikh Saifuddin Ghazrooni etc.
Wildlife:
Mammals in the park include Nilgai antelope, Black buck, Chinkara gazelle, Hog deer, Indian fox, Jackal, Desert Hare, Porcupine, Caracal cat, Moongoose, Jungle cat, Indian Wolf (rare),Wild boar, and Indian rhino (introduced).
While Birds may include Houbara bustard, Griffon vulture, Honey buzzard, Marsh harrier, Hen harrier, Laggar falcon, Peregrine falcon, Kestrel, Indian sparrow hawk, Egyptian vulture, Larks, Shrikes, Wheatears and Barn Owl. Some Reptiles located in the park are Monitor lizard, Russells viper, Indian cobra, Saw scaled viper and Spiny tailed lizard. For tourists who love to be in the wilderness, Lal-Suhanra Park is the best place to be!
Mammals:
Mammals in the park include--Long-eared Hedgehog (C), Nilgai antelope (T), Black buck (T), Chinkara gazelle (V), Hog deer (T), Red fox (C), Bengal Fox (V), Golden Jackal (C), Porcupine (C), Caracal cat (R), Moongoose (C), Jungle cat (C), Indian Wolf (R), Wild boar (C), Honey Badger or Ratel (?), Little Civet (?), Indian (Black-naped) Hare (C), Smooth-coated Otter (V) and Indian rhino (introduced) (T).
Note: T=Threatened, V=Vulnerable, R=Rare, C=Common, ?=Unknown.
Birds:
Total species: 160
Birds in the park are--Houbara bustard, Griffon vulture, Honey buzzard, Marsh harrier, Hen harrier, Laggar falcon, Peregrine falcon, Kestrel, Indian sparrow hawk, Egyptian vulture, Larks, Shrikes, Wheatears and Barn Owl.
Reptiles:
Reptiles in the park are-- Monitor lizard, Russell's viper, Indian cobra, Saw scaled viper, Wolf snake, John's sand boa and Spiny tailed lizard.
