Visit to A Local Environmental Asset

Sanjay Gandhi National Park (SGNP), previously Borivali National Park, is a large
protected area on the northern fringes of suburban Mumbai city in Maharashtra
State in India. It encompasses an area of 104 km2 (40 sq mi) and is surrounded
on three sides by India's most populous city. It is notable as one of the few
national parks existing within a metropolis limit in Asia and is one of the most
visited parks in the world. It also enjoys the distinction of being the largest
urban park in the world.
The rich flora and fauna of Sanjay Gandhi National Park attracts more than 2
million visitors every year. Tourists also enjoy visiting the 2400 years old
Kanheri caves sculpted out of the rocky cliffs which lie within the park.

The undulating green lands of the Sanjay Gandhi National Park have a natural
environment which tourists love to retreat to for moments of quiet
introspection or meditation. The great views of forests, hills, valleys, lakes and
open expanses have a therapeutic effect on mind, body and soul.
The park was notified in 1974. The park offers a pleasant change from the
usual sights, attractions, rush and glamour of the big city. The undulating green
lands of the Sanjay Gandhi National Park are just the kind of surroundings to
which one would love to retreat for some moments of quiet introspection or
meditation. The great panoramic views of hills, valleys, lakes and open
expanses can actually have a soothing effect on mind, body and soul. The
Sanjay Gandhi National park is known for its dense forests, vast bird life,
butterflies, and the small population of tigers. The park also encompasses the
famous Kanheri Cave complex (between 1st century BC and 9th century AD),
two lakes Tulsi and Vihar Lake that provide water to Mumbai city.
Location

The park is nestled in the hill ranges around the suburb of Borivali. 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 a
this forest lie in Thane district. The park and these areas surrounding it are all
part of the Mumbai metropolitan area.
The region is hilly with elevations between 30 m (98 ft) and 480 m (1,570 ft).
The Park encompasses two lakes, Vihar Lakeand 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 much of the air pollution of the city.
History
The Sanjay Gandhi National Park area has a long written history dating back to
the 4th century BCE. In ancient India, Sopara and Kalyan were two ports in the
vicinity that traded with ancient civilizations such as Greece and Mesopotamia.
The 45 km (28 mi) land route between these two ports was partially through
this forest.

The Kanheri Caves in the centre of the park were an important Buddhist
learning centre and pilgrimage site sculpted by Buddhist monks between the
1st century BCE and the 9th century BCE. They were chiseled out of a massive
basaltic rock outcropping.
The park was named 'Krishnagiri National Park' in the pre-independence era. At
that time the area of the park was only 20.26 km2 (7.82 sq mi). In 1969, the
park was expanded to its present size by acquiring various reserve forest
properties adjoining the park. After this, an independent unit of the Forest
Department called 'Borivali National Park Sub-division' administered the area.
Krishnagiri National Park was created in 1974 and later renamed as 'Borivali
National Park'. In 1981, it was re-dedicated as 'Sanjay Gandhi National Park' in
memory of Sanjay Gandhi, the son of ex Prime Minister of India Indira Gandhi,
who was killed in an air crash in 1980.
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 8 years, carpeting
the slopes with a shade of mauve. This plant is native to this and the
surrounding 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.

Flora and fauna

The park is home to a number of endangered species of flora and fauna. The
forest area of the Park houses over 1000 plant species, 251 species of
migratory, land and water birds, 5,000 species of insects, 40 species of
mammals. In addition, the Park also provides shelter to 38 species of reptiles, 9
species of amphibians and also 150 species of butterflies and a large variety of
fishes.
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: The forest cover in the park helps provide the ideal habitat for many
wild animals. Chital (or spotted deer), Rhesus Macaque and Bonnet Macaque
are some of the wild mammals that can easily be spotted roaming inside the
park. Other large mammals 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 and Leopard. One
can also spot hyena or four-horned antelope.
Reptiles living here include:crocodiles in the Tulsi Lake, pythons, cobras,
monitor lizards, Russell's Vipers, Bamboo Pit Viper and Ceylonese Cat Snakes.
Butterflies which may be seen here include the spectacular Blue Mormon, the
phenomenal artist of camouflage the Blue Oak leaf, the bright jezebels and
Large Yellow and White Orange tips, Monarchs, Egg flies and Sailers.

Avian-Fauna: Some of the birds one may see in the park are: Jungle Owlets,
golden orioles, racket-tailed drongos, minivets, magpies, robins, hornbills,
bulbuls, sunbirds, peacock, and woodpeckers. Migratory and local birds such as
paradise flycatcher and various species of kingfishers, mynas, drongos, swifts,
gulls, egrets, and herons have also been spotted.

Problems faced by the Park

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.
Funding and maintainance costs also is a constant source of worry for the park.
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