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Sanjay Gandhi National Park, Borivali,
Mumbai.
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Borivali National Park is the
miraculously preserved green oasis in the center of urban sprawl. This
national park is "one of the very few" that is surrounded by a
metropolis like Mumbai ,
yet sustaining sizable population of big cats like panthers. It is hard
to believe that with in just less then an hour and half from Gateway of
India, one is transported from hectic and fast life of Mumbai city to a
serene and tranquil atmosphere of pleasing verdant wilderness.
Biodiversity:
The
rich and diverse forest holds more than one thousand species of plants, 40
species of mammals, 251 of birds, covering migratory, land and water birds, 38
species of reptiles, 9 species of amphibians besides a large variety of fishes.
Flora:
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The
park is a tree lovers delight in all seasons with the great amount of
bio-diversity, ranging from Adina cardifolia (kadamb), Albizzia lebbek (Shirish),
Pongamia pinnata (Karanj), Tectona grandis (Teak) Dalbergia
latifolia (Sishum) to Acacia, Zizyphus and evergreen patches of
Euphorbia .
In the dry month of February to May, spectacular flowering of
Butea monosperma (Flame of Forests) is a real feast to eye. Flowering of
Bombax malabaricum (Semal) and Erythrina indica (Indian coral tree) add
colour.There are large patches of Bamboo, which make the feel of the
jungle even better. The forest has a lot of Liana (woody climbers), a
remnants from wetter evergreen past, many species of orchids and a large
variety of shrubs. Every monsoon is a riot of colors from violet
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of
Zingiberaceae species to the stark white of costus species. Among the many
spectacular sights one that is definitely is most worthy, is seven years
mass flowering of Strobilanthus species (Karvi). Thousands and thousands
of these flowers cover the hill slopes giving purple touch to this
beautiful landscape.
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Fauna:
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The
national Park is a bird watcher paradise. From the tiny
Tickell's flower pecker (small
bird in India), many species of sun bird (humming birds) to the
majestic white bellied sea eagle, it is virtual visual feast
with birds like paradise flycatcher, the elusive Trogon, many
species of Kingfishers, Woodpeckers, and Drongos. The continuous
calling of large large green barbet, the wildly screeching
parakeets,the
metallic calls of the Racket-trailed Drongo, the musical call of the Blue flycatcher or the extremely melodious some
of the Malabar whistling thrush or the familiar refrain of the Spotted babbler
are just a few facets of nature's symphony
in this forest.The
Reptilian world is well represented from Crocodiles in Tulsi lake to Monitor
lizards to Pythons, Cobras, Russess' viper, Bamboo pit viper and the extremely
rare Ceylonsese cat
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snake recently discovered by the staff of Bambay
National
History Society. Smaller reptiles add to the wonder of this part. The
invertebrate world from Crabs to Spiders to insects, Giant wood spiders,
Signature spiders, Black wood spider with their large webs in monsoon are a real
treat. The insect world from Silk cotton bugs to Beetles to various kinds of
Mantis.
The
Butterfly world is represented in such a fascinating range of sizes and colours,
from the spectacular Blue Mormon to the phenomenal artist of camouflage the
Blue Oak leaf, the bright jezebels and Large Yellow and White Orange
tips, Monarchs, Egg flies, Sailers are some of the many attractive
butterflies one can find here.
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Archeological Features:
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The Kanheri caves
located well within the park area is a major point of interest, presenting
a accessible and interesting glimpse of the history and the culture of
Buddhist India. Most of these 109 Buddhist caves, chiseled out of the
volcanic rock are simple small chambers, known as viharas (cells for
monks). A few are larger and deeper chambers known as chaityas (for congregational worship).
The main one which has colossal figures of standing
Buddha, 7 m.
in height, on each side of the entrance porch, a colonnade of 34
pillars surrounding the interior halls and a overtopped stupa
(shrine) bat the far end, all carved from the stone in place.
These caves are dated from 1st century B.C. to 9th century
A.D.,
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indicating a well organized Buddhist establishment of
monks existed on an ancient trade route connecting a number of
trade centers & Indian ports. In this area there are nearly
more than 100 inscription, out of these, three are in Pallavis,
two in sanskrit, one in Devnagri & rest are in Brahmi
script.
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Tourist
Information
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Best Time to Visit:
Park
is unique in nature to call a particular time as the best time. For sheer
enjoyment of greenery, wilderness, tiny waterfall and stream, monsoon is
best time. For bird watching and general viewing November to February is
ideal. Serious mammal tracking is possible in April -may when water supply
is limited.
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Cottage and camping facilities:
Four
rest houses and two camps sheds are available for visitors on prior
reservations, which can be done between 1000 hrs to 1700 hrs IST on
working days.
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How to reach
Nearest Airport: Mumbai -15kms.
By
Rail:
Mumbai to Borivali is 30 kms by train on western railway route.
Sub urban trains to Borivali are available on Western Railway on
every 5 minutes.
Nearest
Road way:
Borivali is near Mumbai octrai post on Mumabi - Ahemdabad
highway.
Timings:
Park
is open to visitors from 0730 hrs
to 1830 hrs. on all days.
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| Recreational
Zones: |
S.N.G.P. Map |
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"Krishnagiri
Upavan" with an area of approx. 5.5 sq.km. is
reserved as recreational zone inside the park, to cater
educational and recreational needs of the people.
Amongst
the several attractions of the Krishnagiri Upavan, the "Lion
Safari"
is the most famous. The twelve hectare Lion Safari Park with
crisscrossed roads, offer close encounter with the majestic
king, from special buses.
One
more attraction of the park is new "Tiger
Safari"
established on 20 hectare area in recreation zone. It offers
opportunity to the visitors to see and understand this majestic
animal "The Tiger".
There
are other attractions like "Gandhi
Smarak",
boating in the lotus filled lake, gardens and children parks.
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Address
and Telephone numbers:
Deputy
Conservator of Forests, Sanjay
Gandhi National Park,
Borivali
(East), Mumbai 400 066
Phones :91-22-28860716 : 91-22-28860389
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