Located within the suburban region of Mumbai, the Sanjay Gandhi National Park (SGNP) is a
respite in
the fast-moving, commercial capital of India. Previously known as the Borivali National Park,
the
SGNP is a popular picnic and recreational spot for tourists and locals. Spread across a massive
103.84 km square (40 square miles), roughly 20% of the geographical area of Mumbai, the SGNP is
a
beautiful natural spell.
The SGNP is one of the most visited national parks in Asia and globally the largest park located
within the city limits. Each year over two million people visit the Sanjay Gandhi National Park
to
witness the gorgeously blooming flora and fauna, including leopards, deer, flying fox,
kingfisher,
sunbirds, lions, etc. As per data, the Sanjay Gandhi National Park is home to more than 1300
species
of flora and over 500 species of fauna.
The park has two artificial lakes, Vihar and Tulsi, home to crocodiles and migratory birds. The
artificial lakes also provide water supply to the nearby regions of the SGNP. The Vihar lake was
created in 1860 after the city of Mumbai suffered a critical water crisis. Tulsi Lake was built
in
1897 to support the water supply of Vihar. The two lakes together supply a significant amount of
water to South Mumbai.
Inside the park premises, there are 2000-year-old Kanheri Buddhist caves, a worldwide popular
tourist destination. The caves are scattered across the hillside and are hand-carved from the
rocky
cliffs of the Sanjay Gandhi National Park. The caves have Buddha statues, ancient carvings, and
teachings and prayer halls.
Even though the SGNP might not be one of the most beautiful national parks in the country, its
magnificent basalt rock formations and easy accessibility make it one of the best national parks
in
India. The lush green trees of the park clean the much-polluted air of Mumbai, leading it to be
known as the lungs of the city. The forested park has elevations from 30 meters to 480 meters,
making it an interesting sight for visitors and a scenic neighbourhood.
Some people even refer to the Sanjay Gandhi National Park as New York City’s Central Park for
Mumbai. Even though the SGNP is not in the heart of the city, it is a suburban gold mine in
Mumbai.
The park starts from the Borivali suburb but continues far into the north of Thane city. The
Sanjay
Gandhi National Park encompasses popular western suburban Mumbai areas like Goregaon, Dahisar,
Kandivali, and Malad, and eastern suburban areas, such as Bhandup and Mulund.
The Sanjay Gandhi National Park experiences hot and humid summers like the rest of Mumbai city.
Winters are comparatively colder but pleasant and the weather usually is cool and dry. Rainfall
is
also prominent in the region, causing a few months of the year to remain humid and warm. The
magnificent forest, interesting terrain, the fabulous spread of flora and fauna, ancient caves
and
other attractions make SGNP a great place for tourists and residents of Mumbai.