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.
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.
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