The particular area was notified as a reserved forest zone vide notification number 575Ft-111-57/2698 way back on September 2, 1957 but no action was taken to utilise it for the protection of endangered species. The Gurugram forest department has earmarked 140 hectares land at Sarbasirpur, adjacent to the bird sanctuary, for this purpose.

Mail Today has accessed the copy of the proposed project written by the Gurugram forest department to Haryana forest ministry for developing a reserved forest zone. This would be the second such zone after Sultanpur national park and bird sanctuary with specialty in providing natural habitats for migratory and domestic birds.

INSTANCES OF BLACK BUCK HUNTING

In the past, the corridor of Sultanpur-Farukhnagar-Jhajjar has witnessed number of instances of black buck hunting in the region. Former captain of Indian cricket team late Mansoor Ali Khan Pataudi was booked in Jhajjar district for poaching a black buck in 2005. The region provides a conducive environment for species such as black bucks andblue bulls. Moreover, scattered herds are also spotted regularly in the region. "The climate here and availability of natural resources makes it an ideal place to nurture black bucks, listed in Schedule 1 of Wildlife Protection Act," said a senior forest officer.

The Sarbasirpur reserve forest area will be developed in a span of four years under the Silvi-pastoral system which will facilitate natural habitats for the black bucks. The department is also looking at nurturing the species. "The black buck generally inhabits grassy plains; thinly forested areas and scrublands are good source of forage. They also like hot and humid conditions that persist in such areas for more than 8 months in the year", the official said.