Sanjay Gandhi National Park (SGNP) also known by its previous name Borivali National Park is a surprising massive green belt in the surrounding area of Mumbai City. This is quite an astonishing sight, for Mumbai is fast developing from the beautiful and exotic village of seven islands of yore to a metropolis jungle with ever growing concrete trees. Post the liberalization years of the early nineties, Mumbai has seen the constant rise of one mega structure after the other, each new building taller and greater than the previously built one. The rate at which old weatherworn trees are being cut down to make way for a new building or a bridge; is only superseded by the flourishing rate of these towering structures. None the less, in this life of affluence and extravagance, peace and restfulness is lost. Life is simply lived on the edge. People right from the age of six to sixty are all on the run.Amidst the hectic living in this mega city of chaos, there are still those who like to simply runaway from their daily strenuous routine and take shelter in the healing greens of the Sanjay Gandhi National Park for some time if only. Apart from its impressive area of 104 km2 (40 sq mi), the park is bestowed with many unique titles as well. It is among the very few national parks which exist within a metropolis city in the whole of Asia. It is among the most visited parks globally and last but not the least, SGNP is the largest Urban Park in the world.
The park is home to the ancient Kanheri caves which are about two thousand four hundred years old. There are 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 still to be found here. The park is also home to a much popular Lion Safari and a Tiger Safari. There are about twenty five lions and six tigers which can be viewed by visitors while through a twenty minutes ride, sitting inside a caged bus.
The world’s largest Atlas moth was discovered here at the SGNP. A Bengal tiger’s dropping and pug mark were also seen in the year 2003 which was much exciting for wild life enthusiasts. This was, as most of the wild tigers in the park were hunted and shot down decades ago.
Distant view of Kanehri caves in Sanjay Gandhi National Park
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