Best Time : Nov - Feb
Nearest Main Town : New Delhi
Main Animal Attractions : Blue Bull, Blackbuck, Civet, Mongoose, Jackal, Porcupine, Hare and jungle cat
Getting there : A short half-hour drive from the center of the city. Taxis, buses, auto rickshaws, etc. also possible
Accommodation : None at the park itself. Best options are in New Delhi or at the very popular picnic resort named Surajkund located adjacent to the sanctuary
Eating Facilities : Restaurant at Surajkund, restaurants in town, and local roadside "dhabas"
Shopping Facilities : Most requirements available at a fifteen minute drive from the sanctuary
Communication
Mobile phones work within the sanctuary only near the entrance and along the boundary
Sanctuary is located on Southern Ridge, the northern terminal of Aravalli Hills, one of the oldest mountain system of the world. Biodiversity significance of Ridge lies in its merger with IndoGangetic plains. Legal Status of southern ridgh was uncertain till 1986 when the Delhi Administration, vide notification N. F.31(116)/CWLW/84/897-906 dated 09.10.1986, had declared 7827 Bigha 17 Biswa of Gaon Sabha land in village Asola, 2845 Bigha 17 Biswa of Gaon Sabha land of village Sahurpur and 2186 Bigha 10 Biswa of Gaon Sabha land in village Maidan Garhi as Wildlife Sanctuary under Section 18 of the Wildlife (Protection) Act, 1972, considering that the said area is of adequate ecollgical, faunal, flora, geomorphological, natural or zoological significance for the purpose of protecting, propagating or developing of wildlife or its environment.
Asola Wildlife Sanctuary is considered the breathing lung of the cosmopolitan city of New Delhi. It was established in 1992 with the aim to protect the wildlife in the area between Delhi and Surajkund (Delhi-Haryana border). New Delhi, January 21: TWO nilgais were rescued in South Delhi yesterday, and both have been released safely into the Asola Wildlife Sanctuary. The rescue was carried out by a joint team of the Delhi Wildlife Department, the Delhi Zoo and NGO Wildlife SOS.
There was some confusion initially, as calls were received simultaneously from RK Puram and Saket, about a large deer roaming the streets. It was only later that the rescue team realised that there were two nilgais roaming through Delhi at the same time.
Asola is more popular among wildlife buffs for its bird population than for itsAsola Wildlife Sanctuary , Wildlife of Sibsagar, Travel to Sibsagar, Animals wildlife and heritage of Delhi, Wildlife Sanctuary Packages, Park Tours Holidays animals. The number of species found here are said to be in the region of 200. Some of these are Bee-eaters, Cormorants, Egrets, Grebes, Falcons, Partridges, Quail, Peafowl, Waterhens, Lapwings, Sandpipers, Woodpeckers, Doves, Parakeets, Cuckoos, Owls, Nightjars, Barbets, Swallows, Shrikes, Orioles, Drongos, Mynahs, Flycatchers, Warblers, Babblers, Wagtails, Pipits, Buntings and Muniahs among many others. One of the birds that I saw very rarely in other parks but saw many of in this sanctuary were the Indian Robins. Shrikes were also seen at various locations. The beautifully coloured Bee-eaters also gave us great company. Just before it began to rain during the first visit, a raptor, which I suspect was a Shikra we also sighted. The nicest sighting of them all however was a rare and really close encounter just before exiting the park, of a complete family of Grey Partridges lying on the vehicle track itself. I say rare as I was able to watch them for quite a while from close range without them scampering off into the bushes like they almost always otherwise do. I saw a total of around 80 species spread over the three visits lasting approximately three hours each.
Asola has its fair share of wildlife but is more popular for its winged residents and visitors. Among the wildlife found here, some are the Nilgai or Blue Bull, Common Mongoose, Small Indian Civet, Small Indian Mongoose, Jungle Cat, Flying Fox, Porcupine, Palm Squirrel, Spiny tailed Lizards, Rufus Tailed Hare and Monitor Lizards. While walking around in this wonderful area, one can only wish one had been able to see this area when animals like the Leopard, Hyenas, Wolves and Chinkaras roamed freely in this region till the 1940s. The sanctuary also now has two large enclosures for their very successful Blackbuck and Chital or Spotted Deer conservation, rehabilitation and breeding programmes. During my three visits there I got to see Nilgai, Mongoose, Hare, Jungle cat pugmarks and discarded quills of porcupine. I also obviously visited the blackbuck and spotted deer enclosures.
What to Wear
Earthy coloured clothes (greens and browns). Can get extremely dry and hot in summer months. Cap with sunshade. Be extremely warmly clad for early morning drives into the park in the winter months.
Important to Carry
Any specialised batteries for cameras etc, binoculars, water to drink in summers
Temperatures : Winters (can go down to 2 degrees celcius)
Summers (can go up to 45 - 47 degrees celcius)
ATTRACTIONS
Nature trail for studying the floral & faunal diversity, topography of area.
Good patches of Anogeissus,Balanites etc representative of Aravali.
Reclamation of large abandoned minpits of Bhatti area.
Historical places around sanctuary such as Surajkund(Haryana), Tughlakabad & Adilabad Forests
(N.Delhi), Chattarpur Temple.
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