Sanjay Gandhi National Park
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| Sanjay Gandhi National Park | |
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IUCN Category II (National Park)
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| Location | Maharashtra, India |
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| Nearest city | Mumbai |
| Coordinates | 19°15′0″N 72°55′0″E / 19.25°N 72.916667°ECoordinates: 19°15′0″N 72°55′0″E / 19.25°N 72.916667°E |
| Area | 104 km². |
| Established | 1969 |
| Visitors | NA (in 2005) |
| Governing body | Ministry of Environment and Forests, Government of India |
The Borivali National Park, officially known as the Sanjay Gandhi National Park, is a unique National Park in that it lies within the borders of a city.[citation needed] The park lies on the northern fringes of suburban Mumbai, India. It encompasses an area of 104 square kilometres and is surrounded on three sides by India's most populous city. It is one of Asia's most visited National Parks with 2 million annual visitors. The park also holds claim to be the largest park in the world located within city limits.[citation needed]
Borivali National Park is recently renamed as the Sanjay Gandhi National Park. This is an amazing and beautiful wildlife park, which is located inside the city itself.
Sanjay Gandhi national park is very rich in terms of flora and fauna, which attracts thousands of tourists every year. Tourists also enjoy the visit of 2400 years old kanheri caves, which lie within this park.
The undulating green lands of the Sanjay Gandhi National Park or Borivali are just the kind of surroundings to which tourists would love to retreat for some moments of quiet introspection or meditation. The great views of hills, valleys, lakes and open expanses can actually make a therapeutic effect on mind, body and soul.
Within the Park, the ancient Kanheri Caves dating back 2,400 years were sculpted out of the rocky cliffs. The park has a rich flora and fauna.
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[edit] Geography
The park is located in the suburbs of Mumbai. It occupies most of the northern suburbs. To the west lie the townships of Goregaon, Malad, Kandivali, Borivali and Dahisar. To the east lie the townships of Bhandup and Mulund. To the south lies the Aarey Milk Colony. The northern reaches of this forest lie in Thane district.
[edit] Location
The Park is located in Borivali at a distance of 40 km north from Mumbai Central.
Area: 104 km2
Route: Park is well connected with all parts of Mumbai and Maharashtra by road. On holidays and Sundays, buses are available from Mumbai to the Park. You can also hire chartered vehicles to visit the park.
Nearest domestic airport is in Santa Cruz located at a distance of 16 km, international airport is at Sahar, around 20 km from the Park. Nearest railway station is at Borivali, which is connected to Mumbai Chhatrapati Shivaji Terminus (CST) and Mumbai Central Railway terminus. From Borivali station, one can hire an auto to reach Sanjay Gandhi National Park. Local trains regularly ply between Churchgate and Borivali station.
The region is hilly with a maximum height of about 480 m. The Park encompasses two lakes, Vihar Lake and Tulsi Lake, which meet part of the city's water requirements. The park is said to be the lungs of the city as it purifies most of the pollution over the city.
[edit] Kanheri caves
The Kanheri Caves are a protected archaeological site. The caves were sculpted by Buddhist residents. The area was actually a settlement and once served as inns for travellers. The word Kanheri comes from the Sanskrit word Krishnagiri which means Black Mountain.
[edit] Biodiversity
The park is a bustling forest. An estimated 800 types of flowering plants; 284 kinds of birds; 5,000 species of insects; 36 types of mammals; 62 reptiles and 150 species of butterfly call the forest their home. The park has also many endangered species of plant and animal. The world's largest moth, the Atlas moth, was discovered here. Karvi or Karvy, also known as Strobilanthes Callosa to the Botanists is a flowering plant which blooms once in 7 years, carpeting the slopes with a shade of mauve. This plant is native to this and the surround regions of Sanjay Gandhi National Park, including Karnala, the Yeoor hills, Tungareshwar and some parts of Goregaon’s Film City.The park is also home to a small population of leopards. In 2003, pug marks and droppings of a tiger were found in this region. Although the tiger was never spotted, it did bring some excitement to city folks as the last tiger was shot down 80 years earlier.
[edit] Flora and Fauna
Flora: Kadamba, teak, karanj, shisam, and species of acacia, ziziphus, euphorbia, flame of the forest, red silk cotton and a number of other varieties of flowers. Karvi or Karvy, a flowering plant that flowers once in seven years, can be found in the Park.
Fauna: Leopard, spotted deer, black naped hare, barking deer, porcupine, palm civet, mouse deer, rhesus macaque, bounet macaque, Hanuman langur, Indian flying fox, and sambhar. One can also spot hyena or four horned antelope. The family of reptiles include crocodiles, pythons, cobras, monitor lizards, Daboia, Bamboo Pit Viper and Ceylonese Cat Snake, and more.
Avian-Fauna: Jungle owlets, golden orioles, racket-tailed drongos, minivets, magpies, robins, hornbills, bulbuls, sunbirds, peacock, and woodpeckers. Migratory and local birds such as paradise flycatcher, kingfisher, mynas, drongos, swifts, gulls, egrets, and herons have also been spotted.
[edit] Wild Life
The forest cover in the park helps provide the ideal arena for many wild animals. Chital (or spotted deer), Rhesus Macaque and Bonnet Macaque are some of the wild animals that can easily be spotted roaming inside the park.
The other animals that can be found in the park are: Black Naped or Indian Hare, Muntjac (Barking Deer), Porcupine, Asian Palm Civet, Chevrotain (Mouse Deer), Hanuman or Gray Langur, Indian Flying-fox, Sambar Deer, crocodiles, pythons, cobras, monitor lizards, Daboia (Russell's Viper), Bamboo Pit Viper and Ceylonese Cat Snake.
Also known as the Borivali National Park, Sanjay Gandhi National Park is said to be one of the most visited National Parks in Asia. According to estimates, around 2 million visitors visit this park annually. It is nestled in the hill ranges around the suburb of Borivali, and houses a rich variety of wildlife. Inside the park, the ancient caves of Kanheri can be explored. These caves were carved out of the rocky cliff some 2,400 years ago. Vihal Lake and Tulsi Lake are part of the undulating landscape.
The park is home to a number of endangered species of flora and fauna. The forest area of the Park houses around 800 types of flowering plants, 284 kinds of birds, 5,000 species of insects, 36 types of mammals. In addition, the Park also provides shelter to 62 species of reptiles, 14 species of amphibians and also 150 species of butterflies.
 Hanuman Langur |
 Spotted deer |
 Leopard |
 deer |
 monkey near Kanheri Caves |
[edit] Tourism
A small section of the park is open to the public. A mini zoo was also created so that visitors can view the animals from afar. A safari also guides and educates visitors on the natural habitats of these animals. A toy train travels around the tourist zone showcasing parts of the rich biodiversity. Many visitors do also travel to the Kanheri Caves, especially on an auspicious day in August. Nature trails and treks are also popular with some leading you to the Highest Point trail, the highest point in the city, to take a panoramic view of the city.
Collection at the gates in November 2004 touched Rs 98 lakh (9.8 million rupees). Other recreation spots include a boating facility in the recreation zone of Krishnagiri in Borivali.
Rock climbing enthusiasts have been coming to national park for quite some time now. There are many rock faces littered all around the National Park and the Kanheri Caves that offer a great opportunity for rock climbers.
 Villages in the park |
 Toy Train |
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 Myna (Acridotheres) |
[edit] Park Fees for Visitors
As of October 2009, the following fees are being charged to the visitors of the park
- Entrance to the National Park: Rs 20 per person. (Private vehicles also have to pay a comparable fee)
- The Tiger and Lion safari: Rs 30 per person. (For a 20 minute ride in a park bus)
- Van Rani - The narrow gauge train: Rs 15 for adults, Rs 7 for children below 12 years of age. (20 minutes round trip)
[edit] Vanrani - The Park's Narrow Gauge Train
The Park also features a "toy train" that runs on a narrow gauge railway. The toy train Van rani, which means Jungle Queen, runs for around twenty-five years. It was discontinued in 2001 because of the poor condition of the track. The circuitous route covers a 2.5 kilometre distance. However in 2004, fresh bids were announced for the repair of the track, which was estimated to cost around Rs 30 lakh (Rs 3 million). The tracks have been repaired and the train is now operational.
There is another such "toy train" experience around 90 km from Mumbai. This is the Matheran Hill Railway toy train that winds 20 km uphill through the forest from Neral to Matheran, a hill station, 90 km from Mumbai.
[edit] The Tiger and Lion Safari at the Park
As of October 2009, the safari is a 20 minute ride in one of the park's green buses. There are 4 tigers that are kept semi-confined. This is being done so that all visitors are guaranteed that they will view tigers. The park officials mentioned that 2 other tigers are allowed to roam in a much larger area.
During visiting hours, the two resident lions are let out into a large enclosure, and can be viewed from the safety of the bus.
[edit] Jain Temple
In the forest there is a famous Jain temple called Trimurti. This temple is widely visited by Digambar sect of Jain community. It has huge 3 idols of lord Adinathh and his two sons, lord Bahubali and lord Bharat. Many Muni maharaj (Jain Saints) do stay here to preach the followers before moving ahead to other city or town.
[edit] Problems
The park has faced a number of problems similar to those faced by national parks elsewhere in the world, involving conflicts between natural and human interests.
In the early 1970s a road, as proposed, would have cut through the park. Naturalist Humayun Abdulali went to court to halt this project.
The lack of space in Mumbai has pushed residential colonies right up to the park boundary. This boundary is poorly fenced and has often allowed wild animals into human habitations. Slums have mushroomed around the park as well. Corruption among local politicians and Mumbai's influential builder lobby are commonly seen as responsible for a perceived shrinking of the park.
In June 2004, leopards were responsible for the deaths of 20 humans within the span of a week. This was not the first attack. For the past 10 years there have been attacks attributed to leopards stalking children and adults outside the park fringes. After an outcry was raised and the situation reached alarming proportions, eight leopards were caught and relocated.
[edit] References
Parts of the article referred to from the Times of India article dated July 5, 2004
Mirza, Zeeshan. & Pal, Saunak. (2008) A checklist of reptiles and amphibians of Sanjay Gandhi National Park, Mumbai, Maharashtra. Cobra, II (4), 14–19.
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