Sanjay Gandhi National Park which was initially known as the Borivali National Park, located in the city of Mumbai in India, is noted to be one of the best national parks that are situated at the centre of the city. It is located at the northern part of the Mumbai city and is surrounded by 3 sides of the city. It is also one of the most visited national parks in the world.
Sanjay Gandhi National Park
Jungle in the City
The Sanjay Gandhi National Park has a dated history back to the 4th century BC. They were 2 ports namely Sapoara and Kalyan who traded in ancient civilization. They were parted with this forest. The Kanheri caves were important Buddhists pilgrimage spot by the Buddhist Monks. It was earlier named as Krishnagiri National Park. It was then named as the Borivali National Park and in 1981, was renamed to Sanjay Gandhi National Park in the memory of Sanjay Gandhi.
Sanjay Gandhi National Park Address
Sanjay Gandhi National Park covers the Northern parts of the Mumbai city. Towards the west of the region are Goregaon, Malad, Kandivali, Borivali and Dahisar. The East side of the park constitutes of suburbs like Bhandup and Mulund, south has the arrey milk colony and the IIT Bombay university campus. It extends upto the northern parts of Thane.
The park has a hilly area as well and has a height of upto480 meters.TheSanjay Gandhi National Park encompasses of 2 lakes known as the Tulsi and Vihar Lakes.
Sanjay Gandhi National Park Map
The park is an important park to the city. Nonetheless, it has various reasons for which is very important and care is take to reserve this natural reserve to the fullest. The Tulsi and Vihar lakes in the forest supply water partly to the city. Due to the forests, it is possible to store the water underground and store the water. Also, it helps to decrease the temperature. It is noted that the temperature drops by 2-3 degrees after the presence of the flowing lakes. The Kanheri caves are also an archeological site that has been preserved only because the forest still prevails. They are known as the Black Mountains and one can see the Buddha statues as well while they walk through the caves.
For people living near the park, it is a very good place for walking, meditating and taking a stroll. Tribes such as Warli and Mahadeo still reside in the depths of this forest. This place is a home to nearly two dozen mammal species, about 250-300 bird species, 150 butterfly species, several species of reptiles and amphibians and thousands of other insecs, not to mention the large variety of medicinal plants that one can find there.
Flora and Fauna of Sanjay Gandhi National Park
There are several endangered species of plants and animals in the park. With over 250 migratory, land and water birds, over 1000 plant species like Kadamba, teak, karanj, shisam, red silk cotton and a number of other varieties of flowers. and thousands of insects, the park also is a home for different reptiles like crocodiles in the Tulsi Lake, pythons, cobras, monitor lizards, Russell’s vipers, bamboo pit viper and Ceylonese cat snakes and mammals like rhesus macaque and bonnet macaque. One can also spot striped hyena or four-horned antelope. Amphibians and butterflies of nearly 150 species are reported to have visited the Sanjay Gandhi National Park. They are blue Mormon, the phenomenal artist of camouflage the blue oak leaf, the bright Jezebel and large yellow and white orange tip, tiger butterfly, eggflies and sailers and the lakes area home to 150 species of fishes too.
Sanjay Gandhi National Park Timings
The Sanjay Gandhi National Park is open from 7:30am to 6:30 pm. Visitors generally come in post 10 am, but the nature lovers who want to catch glimpses of the morning birds and witness sunrise do go early. Moreover, this park is used by the local residents in the surrounding for their morning jogs and walks too. This place is closed on a Monday.
Sanjay Gandhi National Park Entry Fee
The entry fee is Rs. 36 per person and if you want to add a 30 minute Tiger & Lion safaris then you have to pay Rs. 61 extra for the same. If you are carrying a camera, you have to pay Rs. 50 as charges for carrying the camera.
Preserving plant and animal life is of prime importance. The Sanjay Gandhi National Park is an example and a great way to make it better in a metropolitan city like Mumbai. It helps a lot in controlling the air pollution and serves as a tourist spot as well.
