Lal Suhanra National Park

Lal Sohanra is a biosphere reserve in the central Pakistan 36 Kilometers from Bahawalpur city. The park has a small zoo recretion area and a conservation area for animals.

Lal Sohanra is spread over 153,000 acres (620 km2) and is notable for the diversity of its landscape, which includes areas of desert, forest and water.

Geography and wildlife

Lal Suhanra National Park occupies land on both sides of Desert Branch canal, and is spread over an area of 127,480 acres (51,368 hectares) - out of which 20,974 acres (8,491 hectares) are green land (irrigated plantations), 101,726 acres (40,942 hectares) are dry land (desert), and 4,780 acres (1,935 hectares) are wet land (ponds and lakes). The park's terrain is generally flat, interspersed with sand dunes measuring between 1 and 6 meters in height and occupying as many as thousands of acres apiece.

The park has watchtowers, catching ground, tourist huts, rest houses, Motels, camping grounds and treks for the visitors and lovers of nature. Tourism Development Corporation of Punjab (TDCP) owns and operates a Motel with six double rooms (A.C.) near the park (Ph. No. 0621-871144).

Many species of animals can be found throughout the Lal Suhanra conservation area. These include several wild animals of the desert such as wildcats, rabbits, bustards, and deer. Reptiles in the park include the Monitor lizard, Russell's Viper, Indian Cobra, Saw Scaled Viper, Wolf Snake, John's Sand Boa, and Spiny Tailed Lizard. More than 160 species of birds are also present, including the Houbara Bustard, Griffon Vulture, Honey Buzzard, Marsh Harrier, Hen Harrier, Laggar Falcon, Peregrine Falcon, Kestrel, Indian Sparrow Hawk, Egyptian Vulture, Lark, Shrike, Wheatear, and Barn Owl. Patisar Lake, a large body of water in the center of the park, is ideal for bird watching. In mid-winter, the lake is regularly home to between 10,000 and 30,000 ducks and common coot.

Statistics of Wildlife

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.

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.

Attractions

The Punjab government has plans to convert the Lal Sohanra National Park into a wildlife safari park of international standard. One of its most prominent attractions is currently the lion safari, which allows guests to see lions in their natural habitat at close range. In addition, the park's captive breeding suite holds a pair of Rhinoceros which were gifted from Nepal.

Over 400 animals are currently being bred in the Lal Sohanra Park, including a large population of Blackbucks, a breed of antelope most notable for its pronounced sexual dimorphism. The park is constantly supplied with new Blackbucks in order to extend its efforts toward Blackbuck conservation.