[SDP]

Originally Posted by carzone

...I don't think there are open animals in SGNP.

There are. Deer and leopards are main ones. The park has an outer layer and an inner layer. The Kanheri caves are in the inner layer. Access to inner layer is not allowed beyond 6pm till 7am as it has a thick forest with thriving wild-life.

[Jignesh]

Originally Posted by carzone

There are 2 tigers and a Lion. But for that, you need to take the lion and tiger safari ride. Again, in cages, but good huge ones. I don't think there are open animals in SGNP.

Those in cages are just for tourists / childrens.

But the real thriving wild life exists right in the centre of the SGNP. There are many leapords which are regularly spotted in Aarey, Kandivali East & Ghodbunder Road, Thane. Also there are fresh water crocodiles at Tulsi lake & reptiles like Pythons & Cobras.
Further there are various species of birds right from Kingfishers to Owls.

Also not many people know that highest point in Mumbai lies inside SGNP at approx 500 meters. There is a Air Force Radar at this point & one can have clear view of International Airpost Runway & Vashi bridge from this point. The entry to this point is restricted, though many trekking groups have managed to reach there.

Thanks,

[Jignesh]

For those who are interested below is the SGNP Chronology:

1st Century B.C. to 9th Century A.D. – Kanheri caves

1845 – The Forest department comes into existence

1927 – The Indian Forest Act

1950 – The Bombay National Parks Act. Management of the park gets transferred to Dept. of Parks and Gardens of Bombay State

1952 (12th May) – 1st National Forest Policy Announced

1960 – Management of the collective Borivali forests transferred to the Forest Dept

1968 / 1969 – High power committee constituted by the State govt. decided to create the Borivali National Park, covering 68.27 Sq. Km

1969 – Areas of different ownership of the park brought under single management with a special Sub-division created for this purpose

1972 – The above mentioned subdivision gets upgraded to Division

1972 – The Wildlife protection Act gets passed

1975 – The Maharashtra Private Forests (Acquisition) Act

1977 (1st July) – Management of the National Park gets transferred to the
Maharashtra State Forest Development Corporation 1980 – The Forest conservation Act gets passed

1981 (23rd June) – The Borivali National Parks gets renamed – Sanjay Gandhi National Park

1982 (4th February) – The State Govt. adds 19.988 Sq Km to the existing 68.977 Sq Km making the total area 88.965 Sq Km. An area of 10.38 Sq Km is set aside as buffer zone

1988 (1st April) – The management of SGNP transferred back to the Forest Dept.

1991 – The Wildlife protection Act gets amended

1994 – 62,000 encroachments recorded in SGNP

1995 (16th January) – The Maharashtra State Govt. declares SGNP as per the provisions of the Wildlife Protection Act 1972, amended 1991. (notification # WLP 1094 or 177/F-1)

1995 (8th Feb) – Writ filed by the Bombay Environment Action Group

1996 (13th December) – Supreme Court Interim Order

1997 (13th March) – Committee formed by High Court suggests that State Govt. should construct a boundary wall around SGNP within a year

1997 (7th May) – High Court Order passed by J. S C Shah and J. F I Rebello

2000 - The largest demolition of settlements. Between 1997 and 2000 around 40,000 hutments in SGNP were removed

2003 (September) - High Court passes an Order stating all demolitions should be completed by 15th March 2004

Thanks,

[LoneWolf9]

Originally Posted by carzone

I don't think there are open animals in SGNP.

Actually not many people are aware that deers roam freely at SGNP. Avoid going on Sunday or try to visit early morning before the crowd sets in. Sighting during rainy season is rare.Its easy to spot them during Summer and Winter. The only challenge is that they are easily able to camouflage in the dry surrounding. I have been able to spot deers at SGNP almost everytime except one or two.

Shilonda trail is one of the few places where you can spot them easily. The portion that is in between the Shilonda Trail and the main road that leads to Kanheri caves is the place where you would find them. Its difficult to spot them while walking but if you sit down, you may find couple of them inside these bushes. Or just stay there for an hour and there is a high possiblity you would see them crossing this trail.

Another place to spot them are near the houses that are before the road that leads to Shilonda Trail. You can spot deers wandering in this area for food and water.

[carzone]

Originally Posted by LoneWolf9

Another place to spot them are near the houses that are before the road that leads to Shilonda Trail. You can spot deers wandering in this area for food and water.

Oh yes! When you mentioned of those houses, I actually remembered I did spot a couple of deers there once. That was 2.5 years ago so the memory faded a bit.

I too prefer visiting SGNP early in the mornings. Crowd and nature don't make a good combo.

[Jignesh]

Hello All,

Just got an image from internet (taken from NASA's resources):



We can clearly see how SGNP is literally lung of Mumbai. The lung which is struggling for its existence facing constant gorilla attacks from all sides.

An example: Somewhere between Malad & Kandivali inside (or near) SGNP border:



Thanks,