Lal Suhanra National Park: A Natural Treasure of Pakistan

Lal Suhanra National Park is a large protected area in the Bahawalpur district of Punjab, Pakistan. It is among the biggest national parks in South Asia, and it has been designated a UNESCO Biosphere Reserve because of its important natural landscapes and biodiversity.

Location and Landscape

The park lies roughly 35 kilometers east of Bahawalpur city. Its land stretches across both sides of the Desert Branch Canal. The terrain is mostly flat, but in many places you can see sand dunes rising between 1 and 6 meters high, sometimes over large patches of land.

Lal Suhanra covers about 51,368 hectares (around 127,480 acres). This area is divided into different zones:

Irrigated plantations / green areas: ~20,974 acres
Dry (desert) land: ~101,726 acres
Wetlands (ponds, lakes): ~4,780 acres

Another geographical feature is the dry bed of the Ghaggar-Hakra River (sometimes identified with the ancient Saraswati River). Also within the park is Patisar Lake, which is central to the wetland ecology.

History and Purpose

Lal Suhanra was officially made a national park in 1972, originally in order to protect endangered animals and plants of the Cholistan region. Over time, its area has been increased: additional land was added in 1984 and 2000.

The main goals of the park include conserving the native wildlife (especially endangered species like the chinkara, blackbuck, and blue bull), promoting scientific study of the park’s flora and fauna, and maintaining the genetic diversity of local species.

Wildlife and Vegetation

Because Lal Suhanra has deserts, wetlands, and forest-like green patches, it supports a wide variety of life.

Mammals and larger animals: You can find animals like Asiatic wildcats, rabbits, deer, bustards, and antelope species such as blackbuck and chinkara.
Reptiles: Various snake species (Indian cobra, Russell’s viper, saw-scaled viper), the monitor lizard, the spiny-tailed lizard, John’s sand boa, and more are present.
Birds: The park is a hotspot for bird watchers. Over 160 species of birds have been recorded. Some migratory waterfowl use Patisar Lake in winter; tens of thousands of ducks and coots arrive in cold months. Others include buzzards, falcons, harriers, vultures, larks, shrikes, and owls.

Chinkara Deer

Lions resting under trees

Blackbuck Antelopes

[ above images are Ai generated, not captured by a camera]

Vegetation in the park includes both desert plants (thorns, shrubs adapted to dry conditions) and plantation trees in the green zones. Some restoration efforts aim to plant indigenous trees like Indian rosewood and Acacia karroo in barren areas.

Human Use, Attractions, and Conservation

Lal Suhanra serves not only as a wildlife refuge but also as a place for people to visit, learn, and enjoy nature.

Some of its attractions:

Patisar Lake is very popular among bird watchers, especially in winter.
There is a lion safari, where people can see lions in a setting that resembles their natural habitat.
Animal breeding centres, particularly for endangered species, also form part of the park’s feature list.

Facilities for visitors include cabins, motels (by TDCP – Tourism Development Corporation of Punjab), places to picnic, camel and horse riding, and canteens.

Conservation issues remain, including habitat protection, preventing illegal trapping or poaching, maintaining water for wetlands, and keeping the balance among the desert, green, and wetland zones. The park management works on restoration, flora replanting, protection of endangered species, and environmental education.

Importance

Lal Suhanra is important for many reasons:

Biodiversity: It supports many species, some rare or endangered.
Ecosystem variety: It includes desert, wetland, and forest-type areas in one place. This mix is rare and valuable.
Cultural and historic: Because parts of the ancient Indus Valley Civilization are connected to the Ghaggar-Hakra riverbed, Lal Suhanra is also interesting for archaeology and history.
Tourism, education, research: Visitors, students, scientists all benefit from it. It is a place to learn about conservation and nature.

Tourist Guide Map

Conclusion

Lal Suhanra National Park is a unique natural gem in Pakistan. It combines shifting sandy deserts, life-carrying wetlands, and planted green areas in a vast reserve. It protects many species, offers refuge to migratory birds, and gives people a chance to experience nature in its different forms. Its ongoing conservation and visitor services help ensure that future generations will also benefit from its beauty and ecological importance.

Lal Suhanra National Park: A Natural Treasure of Pakistan