Sanjay Gandhi National Park - Lungs of the Mumbai

 
Sanjay Gandhi National Park attracts more than 2 million visitors every year. It is a 87 Square kilometres protected area in Mumbai, Indian state of Maharashtra. It was established in 1996 with headquarters at Borivali. The park and these areas surrounding it is hilly with elevations between 30 and 480 m. The park has two lakes Vihar Lake and Tulsi Lake, which meet a part of the city's water requirements. The park is said to be the lungs of the city as it purifies much of the air pollution of the city.
 
The park is home to a number of endangered species of flora and fauna. The forest area of the park houses over 1000 plant species, 251 species of migratory land and water birds, 5000 species of insects and 40 species of mammals. In addition, the park also provides shelter to 38 species of reptiles, 9 species of amphibians, 150 species of butterflies and a large variety of fishes.
 
 
The park helps provide the ideal habitat for many wild animals like Chital (spotted deer), rhesus macaque and bonnet macaque are some of the wild mammals often spotted inside the park. Other large mammals found in the park include black-naped or Indian hare, muntjac (barking deer), porcupine, Asian palm civet, chevrotain (mouse deer), Hanuman or grey langur, Indian flying fox, sambar deer and leopard. One can also spot striped hyena or four-horned antelope. Reptiles living here include crocodiles in the Tulsi Lake, pythons, cobras, monitor lizards, Russell's vipers, bamboo pit viper and Ceylonese cat snakes.
 
A total 172 species of butterflies have been reported here, of which the spectacular ones are blue Mormon, the phenomenal artist of camouflage, blue oak leaf, bright Jezebel and large yellow and white orange tip, tiger butterfly, eggflies and sailers. There are a number of moths too. The largest moth is the size of a sparrow (30 cm).
 
Some of the birds found in the park are jungle owlets, golden orioles, racket-tailed drongos, minivets, magpies, robins, hornbills, bulbuls, sunbirds, peacock, and woodpeckers. Migratory and local birds such as paradise flycatcher and various species of kingfishers, mynas, drongos, swifts, gulls, egrets, and herons have also been spotted.
 
 
The forest covers with trees like Kadamba, teak, karanj, shisham and species of acacia. And varieties of flowers like ziziphus, euphorbia, flame of the forest, red silk cotton and many others. Karvi or karvy, a flowering plant that blossoms once in eight years can be found in the park.
 
 
Sanjay Gandhi National Park is said to be one of the most visited national parks in Asia. The Krishnagiri Upavan is an area of approximately 5.5 sq km reserved as an easily accessible public recreation zone inside the park. The park also features a narrow-gauge train travels named "Van Rani", which means "jungle queen" around the tourist zone showcasing parts of the forest's rich biodiversity. Boating services are available near the Van Rani starting point with 2- and 4-seater pedalos for sailing in the small lake, which has a view bridge where visitors can stand and watch the boats in the water. Main attractions of the park are lion and tiger safaris for encouraging eco-tourism. The lion safari is a 20-minute ride through a 12 ha fenced forest area in one of the park's green buses. There is a number of public walking trails in the national park. The popular Ashok Van trail winds through thick forest to a dense cluster of Ashoka trees that are a welcome halfway resting spot. The return journey is usually via the Gaumukh trail that leads to an open volcanic rock face and ends at the Kanheri caves. A more challenging route is called the 'View Point' trail and leads to the highest point in Mumbai, which affords a panoramic view of the city and its three lakes – Tulsi Lake, Vihar Lake and Powai Lake.
 
 
Tourists also enjoy visiting the 2400-year-old the Kanheri Caves in the centre of the park were an important Buddhist learning centre and pilgrimage site sculpted by Buddhist monks between the 9th and the 1st centuries BCE. They were sculpted out of a massive basaltic rocky cliffs. Hundreds of thousands of visitors travel to the Kanheri Caves, especially during festivals such as Maha Shivaratri. Nature trails and treks are also popular. Rock climbing enthusiasts often visit the national park as the numerous rock faces there and at the Kanheri Caves offer a great opportunity for rock climbers. The national park witnesses thousands of morning walkers every day like the elderly, the youth and children visit it for a breath of fresh air. It is also an abode for sports lovers who can be seen practicing cricket, badminton and even marathons among other sports. There are many smaller parks within the national park with flower gardens, mini-waterfalls, resting spots, sunrise and sunset views.
 
 


Hotel near Sanjay Gandhi National Park Mumbai

Hotel near Sanjay Gandhi National Park Mumbai are :
  1. The Orchid ( Km, 0hr )
  2. Royal Garden (14.6 Km, 43min)
  3. The Regale by Tunga (14.9 Km, 47min)
  4. The Resort Hotel (14.9 Km, 43min)
  5. The Leela (16.1 Km, 31min)
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13 Days Golden Triangle Tour with Goa India

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Duration : 13 Days - 12 Nights
Destination Covered :

New Delhi - Agra - Jaipur - Mumbai - Goa - Mumbai

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Ajanta Ellora Tour

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Duration : 5 Days - 4 Nights
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Mumbai - Aurangabad - Mumbai

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Goa Beach Vacation

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Duration : 8 Days - 7 Nights
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Mumbai - Goa - Mumbai

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Golden Triangle with Udaipur Goa

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Duration : 12 Days - 11 Nights
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New Delhi - Agra - Jaipur - Udaipur - Mumbai - Goa - Mumbai

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Honeymoon Beach Tour

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Duration : 12 Days - 11 Nights
Destination Covered :

Mumbai - Udaipur - Jaipur - Agra - New Delhi - Goa - Mumbai

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The Regale by Tunga

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Classification : 4 Star Deluxe
Hotel Facility :

Restaurants, Bar / lounge, Business center, Concierge, Conference Hall, Gym, Free wifi / Internet, Laundry,

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The Orchid

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Classification : 5 Star Standard
Hotel Facility :

Airport Transfers, Banquets, Restaurants, Bar / lounge, Business center, Concierge, Conference Hall, Parking, Gym, Swimming Pool, Free wifi / Internet, Laundry,

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The Leela

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Classification : 5 Star Standard
Hotel Facility :

Airport Transfers, Banquets, Restaurants, Bar / lounge, Business center, Concierge, Conference Hall, Parking, Gym, Swimming Pool, Free wifi / Internet, Laundry,

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The Resort Hotel

The Resort Hotel Image
Classification : 5 Star Deluxe
Hotel Facility :

Airport Transfers, Banquets, Restaurants, Bar / lounge, Business center, Concierge, Conference Hall, Parking, Gym, Swimming Pool, Free wifi / Internet,

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