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Sanjay Gandhi National Park,
better known as "Borivali National Park" is set in hill ranges around the suburb
of Borivali in Mumbai. Notified in 1974, it offers a pleasant change from the
usual sights and attractions of the big city. It is hence
common to see the park teeming with school picnics, college picnics and other
organized excursions.
The undulating green lands of the Borivali National Park are just the kind of
surroundings to which one would love to retreat for some moments of quiet
introspection or meditation. The great panoramic views of hills, valleys, lakes
and open expanses can actually have a therapeutic effect on mind, body and soul.
Flora :
 The
forest cover in the park can be divided into two main categories i.e. South
Indian moist deciduous and Semi Evergreen. These two types can be
further classified into four subcategories and they are moist teak-bearing
forest, mangrove scrub, southern moist mixed deciduous forest, and western
subtropical hill forest. The region has good biodiversity and major trees and plants include kadamba, teak, karanj, shisam, and species of acacia, ziziphus, euphorbia, flame
of the forest, red silk cotton and many more varieties of flowers. During the
monsoon, almost the entire park is awash with the rainbow hues of the flowers
that bloom here and all over the Western Ghats.
Fauna :
One can have encounters with several species including Spotted Deer, Black Naped
Hare, Barking Deer, Porcupine, Palm Civet, Mouse Deer, Rhesus Macaque, Bounet
Macaque, Hanuman Langur, Indian Flying Fox, and Sambhar.
The reptilian world has 38 species to show off. Tourists can see crocodiles in
the Tulsi Lake, and Pythons, Cobras, Monitor Lizards, Russell's Viper, Bamboo
Pit Viper and Ceylonese Cat Snake here. |
