Sgnp... Travel Magazine #03

Sanjay Gandhi National Park - CYCLING / TREKKINGÂ

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SGNP - Sanjay Gandhi National Park Sanjay Gandhi National Park (SGNP), formerly Borivali National Park, is a large protected area in the northern part of Mumbai city (preferably called Mumbai Suburban district) in Maharashtra State in India. It encompasses an area of 104 km2 (40 sq mi) and is surrounded on three sides by India's most populous city.

It is notable as one of the major national parks existing within a metropolis limit and is one of the most visited parks in the world.

The rich flora and fauna of Sanjay Gandhi National Park attracts more than 2 million visitors every year. Tourists also enjoy visiting the 2400year-old Kanheri caves sculpted out of the rocky cliffs which lie within the park.

Entrance for Sanjay Gandhi National Park

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T R A V E L W H I L E Y O U A R E Y O U N G

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A B O U T

S G N P

NATURE'S BEAUTY

The Sanjay Gandhi National Park (SGNP) has always been the ideal picnic or weekend break away destination for Mumbaikars in search of some respite from the chaos and pressures of this densely populated metropolis. May it be a boat ride in the artificial lake near the main gate or joy ride in the hugely famous mini train or the ‘van rani’, visitors throng these attractions by the thousands on an ideal weekend. Some do walk up to the Gandhi Tekdi and enjoy the sky scape around the immediate vicinity.

L O C A T I O N

&

B I O D I V E R S I T Y

> 103 sq.km. of pure wilderness in the heart of Mumbai city and surrounded by a population of 20 million people. > Part of the Western Ghats biodiversity, forming roughly 20 per cent of Mumbai’s geographical area > Home to more than 274 species of birds, 35 species of mammals, 78 species of reptiles and amphibians, 170 species of butterflies and over a staggering 1,300 species of plants FOOTERSROCKS

M O V I N G M O U N T A I N S A VIEW TO DIE FOR....

FLORA AT SGNP

Kadamba, teak, karanj, shisam, and species of acacia, ziziphus, euphorbia, flame of the forest, red silk cotton and a number of other varieties of flowers. Karvi or karvy, a flowering plant that flowers once in seven years, can be found in the park.

FAUNA AT SGNP

The forest cover in the park helps provide the ideal habitat for many wild animals. Chital (or spotted deer), rhesus macaque and bonnet macaque are some of the wild mammals that can easily be spotted roaming inside the park. Other large mammals found in the park are: 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.

A total 172 species of butterflies have been reported here, of which the spectacular ones are blue Mormon.

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Cycling AT SGNP A ride to Kanheri caves in Borivali is always a pleasure as it passes through the lovely Sanjay Gandhi National Park. To start with, the cycling path is a very well laid-out cemented road, and is covered with thick foliage. Riders may rent a bike from the SGNP gate. Riding in the early morning or late afternoon is preferred. Remember the park opens for public only at 7am.

Riders should carry a water bottle and be well-rested since the ride up is quite steep.

Carrying a nutrition bar or a banana is a great idea. The distance from the gate is approximately 7km one way, and after a initial cruise through a straight road, the gradient increases and new riders may start panting soon as the climb is quite steep.

Luckily the climb is not too long. The road ends at the Kanheri caves steps.

The ride back is a lovely ride, zooming down the slopes and then on to the shaded path back to the gate. You might see deer and other animals if you are lucky.

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Cost for the Cycle INSIDE SGNP Minimum 2hrs is the basic requirement to ride a cycle in SGNP which costs about 80Rs and then its 40 Rs per Hr. Note: You can also rent a bike outside SGNP which is also of the same rate. (as we did)

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IT DOES NOT MATTER HOW SLOW YOU GO SO LONG AS YOU DON'T STOP

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