Sanjay Gandhi National Park is acclaimed to be an
exclusive and largest park in the world to be located within city
limits. Earlier called Borivali National Park, the wildlife haven was
initially intended to be a natural retreat outside Mumbai. Over the
years, the park got into the periphery of the growing city. Sited on the
north of Bombay, the wildlife asylum is managed by the Ministry of
Environment and Forests, a governing body of Government of India. Spread
in an area of 104 sq km, the park is delimited by the Island City on its
three sides.
With 2 million (approx) visitors every year, perhaps it is the most
visited national park in the Asia. It also houses the ancient Kanheri
Caves crafted out of rocky cliffs, which dates back to 2,400 years.
Evidences reveal that the park had been present during the 4th century
BC. In its close vicinity, there were two ports by the names of Sopara
and Kalyan that used to trade with places like Greece and Mesopotamia.
The route between these two ports traverses from this park. In the
pre-independence era, it was named Krishnagiri National Park.
In 1969, the Park enclosed an area of mere 20.26 sq km and then various
properties adjoining the park were acquired to obtain the present area.
Later, it was named Borivali National Park after the adjoining area of
Borivali. In 1981, the park was christened Sanjay Gandhi National Park,
after Sanjay Gandhi, the son of Indira Gandhi. Most of the area is hilly
and reaches to the maximum height of 400 metres. The park's splendor
gets doubled with the presence of Vihar Lake and Tulsi Lake.
Since most of the city's pollution is purified by this park, it is
acclaimed to be the lungs of Mumbai. The bustling forest of the park is
abode to almost 800 species of flowering plants, 284 species of birds,
5,000 species of insects, 36 types of mammals, 50 kinds of reptiles and
150 species of butterfly. It also has numerous endangered species of
plants and animals. It has the distinction of comprising Atlas moth,
which was discovered here and known to be the world's largest moth.
Animals and reptiles like Spotted Deer, Rhesus Macaque, Bonnet Macaque,
Black Naped Hare, Barking Deer, Porcupine, Palm Civet, Mouse Deer,
Hanuman Langur, Indian Flying Fox, Sambhar, Crocodiles, Pythons, Cobras,
Monitor Lizards, Russell's viper, Bamboo Pit Viper, Ceylonese Cat Snake
etc thrive in its forests. Toy Train, called Vanrani, makes the special
attraction for both children and adults in the park. Rock climbing is
another sport activity that is booming in the region.
