Sanjay_Gandhi_National_Park

Sanjay Gandhi National Park

The Borivali National Park, officially known as the Sanjay Gandhi National Park, is a unique National Park in that it lies within borders of a city. 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 the world's most populous city. It is one of Asia's most visited National Parks with 2 million annual visitors. The park is also holds claim to be the largest park in the world located within city limits.

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.

History

The park dates back to the 4th century BC. Sopara and Kalyan were two ports in the vicinity that traded with ancient lands such as Greece and Mesopotamia. The routes between these two ports cut through this forest. The Park was named Krishnagiri National Park in the pre-independence era. In 1969, the Park enclosed 20.26 km². After that various properties lining the park were acquired to get the present area. A separate forest division was created under the Indian Forest Service department, and the Park was christened Borivli National Park after the nearby Borivali area. In 1981, the name was changed to Sanjay Gandhi National Park, after Sanjay Gandhi, the son of Indira Gandhi who was killed in an airplane accident.

Omkareshwar Temple

In front of National Park Shiv temple is located, and is called as Omkareshwar temple.

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.

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.

The region is hilly with a maximum height of about 400 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.

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; 50 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, flowering plant, blooms once in 7 years, carpeting the slopes with a shade of mauve. 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.

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.

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.

Vanrani

The Park also featured a "toy train" that runs on a narrow gauge railway. The toy train Van rani, which means Jungle Queen, ran for around twenty-five years before it was discontinued in 2001 because of the poor condition of the track. The circuitous route covers a 2.5 kilometre distance parallel to the road leading to the Kanheri Caves. However in 2004, fresh bids were announced for the repair of the track, which was estimated to cost around Rs 30 lakh (3 million). Tickets would be priced at Rs 10 for adults and 5 for children.

In the month of March the tracks were repaired. The train has started to run again after a gap of nearly 2 years. The price of the tickets however remain the same. Most of the animals in the zoo have either been moved or have died hence there is nothing much to see during the train ride except the overwhelming greenery.

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.

Taramati Temple

Taramati Temple is on the top of the mountain towards Mulund.

This temple was demolished by the forest department some years

ago but Mulund locals are trying to reconstruct the temple.

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.

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.