Sanjay Gandhi National Park in Mumbai is considered as the largest park in the world. It is a prime attraction in India and visited by many tourists from all over the world.
Sanjay Gandhi National Park is located in a suburban part of Mumbai, India. Its area is 104 sq. kilometers, making it the largest park in the world within the city limits. It is surrounded by cities on the sides and it has a perfect forest cover suitable for wildlife. They also have a mini zoo at the park that attracts many tourists.
Brief History of Sanjay Gandhi National Park
Sanjay Gandhi National Park was named after the son of Indira Gandhi who died on a plane crash. She served as Prime Minister of India on three consecutive terms, from the years 1966 to 1977. She is also the first female to hold this highest post.
Way back the 4th century BC, this area served as a port of two ancient lands namely Greece and Mesopotamia. It was better known as Krishnagiri National Park in 1969, the time of the pre independence era. After several years, this area was created and developed by the Indian Services Department and was named Sanjay Gandhi National Park.
Biodiversity in Sanjay Gandhi National Park
This park is known for its rich forest and exciting wildlife. There are 800 types of flowering plants because of the many types of insects found here. The forest also has 150 species of butterflies that freely roam around the forest.
The atlas moth is known as the largest moth in the world. This park is now under the protection of their department, especially because of the large number of endangered species. A type of flowering plant considered endangered is the Karvi. This is unique because it only blooms once in every seven years. Now, this plant is successfully protected and it can be seen all over the surroundings as well as on other regions.
There is also a variety of mammals and reptiles in this park. In fact, people are so amused by its small population of leopards. Another interesting feature is a cave sculpted by Buddhist residents referred to as the Kanheri Caves. Near the caves, there are different types of monkeys like the Hanuman Langur and the Rhesus Macaque. These are renowned as “old world” of its species. It is native to this country and is popular for its unique pink face. The Bonnet Macaque is also an old world monkey found in this forest. It is somewhat related to the Rhesus Macaque, but it is less dominant.
A type of deer considered one of the oldest types (approximately 20 35 million years ago) can also be found here. It is the Muntjac. The Chital or otherwise known as the spotted deer or axis deer is also common along this wooded Indian forest. Another type that belongs to the family of Tragulidae is the Chevrotain or the mouse deer. These creatures are only found on some tropical forests like that of Sanjay Gandhi National Park.
Travel Information for Sanjay Gandhi National Park
Located along the famous Sanjay Gandhi National Park are some of the best hotel accommodations. Inside the park, they offer a safari ride that can take you in close range to the leopards and lions. This usually lasts for about 20 minutes, from nine in the morning to twelve noon, and two to five in the afternoon. It is all surrounded by forest so expect a jaunting wind breeze most of the time.
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