Showing posts with label SGNP. Show all posts
Showing posts with label SGNP. Show all posts

Monday, November 10, 2014

SGNP - Albums

6:16 AM  No comments

SGNP

6:15 AM  No comments

Sanjay Gandhi National Park


Location: Most Popular Access from Borivali East, off Western Express Highway

Best Time: Round the year; but best is Monsoon and Winter till March 31st.

Open to Public: Between 7:30 am to 5:30 pm.



Recommended Trails:

Do it on your own

  1. Walks around the buffer zone along with Pond; till Lion Safari.
  2. Hike from National Park Main Gate will Kanheri Caves

Jungle Nature Trails and Treks (Requires permission and permits).

Nature Trails

  1. Sylonda Trail (1st Stream)
  2. Sylonda Trail (2nd Stream)
  3. Sylonda Trail (3rd Stream)
  4. Lower Jungle Trail till Kanheri 
  5. Lower Jungle Trail till Gaumukh
  6. Kanheri till Highest Point of Mumbai
Treks


  1. Sylonda Trek (2nd Stream)
  2. Sylonda Trek (3rd Stream)
  3. Lower Jungle Trail till Gaumukh
  4. Kanheri till Highest Point of Mumbai
  5. Lower Jungle Trail till Highest Point of Gaumukh
Attire

  1. Track-pant
  2. Sleeves t-shirt (dry fits or cotton) / Comfortable Shirt
  3. Canvas shoe or trekking shoe
  4. cap or hat
  5. apply sun screen
  6. carry mosquito / insect repellent.


What to carry?

  1. 2 liters water per head (do not carry packaged mineral water; there are restrictions in all national parks regarding the same). Carry water proper PET Bottles or any other branded water bottle.
  2. Carry lite packed brunch / snacks.
  3. Rain wear for emergency during monsoon.
  4. person first aid; general first aid would be carried by the group lead.
  5. Carry all items in backpack.


Nice to have 
(Camera / Binoculars / field guide on nature / birds etc).

Dos and Don'ts 
We follow all rules of eco-tourism (minimum impact tourism)
Avoid causing any damage to flora, fauna and/or any monuments of archaeology and heritage significance. 
No littering.
We take back only memories and leave only footsteps 

Meeting Place: 

SGNP (Inside Main Gate, Borivali East) 

Travel arrangement (Car Pool) and/or Public Transport 
Kindly if you are travelling by your own transport or making a request for car pool.

More about the place

There are various Nature trails / Jungle hikes in SJNP, each of which can take a whole day to explore and enjoy. And even if you keep coming to the same trails again and again you would always find something new year. To name a few Jungle walks / trails “Sylonda Trail, Snake Trail, Peacock Point Nature trail, Trail to Highest Point of Mumbai, Evening Trail, Gaumukh trail, Bhoot Bangla trail etc. But exploring out most of these trails requires prior written permission with the forest department.

Flora and Fauna

SNGP is an outdoor museum that preserves and nurtures the varied flora and fauna of the area. This rich and diverse forest is home to more than 1000 species of plants, 40 species of mammals, 251 species of birds - migratory, and and water birds, 38 species of reptiles, 9 species of amphibians besides a large variety of fish, insects and other life forms.

The park is one of the few, perhaps even the only one of its kind, that is surrounded by a metropolis and sustaining a sizable population of big cat-like Panthers. Panthers are, in fact, the largest predators that roam this forest and can easily be spotted after dark, and in the hot summer months even in the afternoons as they emerge for a drink of water. Several other animals like Sambar (the largest deer in India), Spotted Deer, Chowsingha (4 horned antelope), Wild Boar, Mongoose, Civet Cat, Jungle Cat, Langurs (leaf monkeys) Macques and Peacocks may also be often encountered. Bird and insect life (especially several kinds of butterflies) thrives within the park, making it a naturalists paradise. Rocks and hills near the Kanheri Caves - a 1000 year old marvel of archeology in the heartof the park - also provide ideal spots for rock climbers and nature lovers.

 A dense population of trees and luxuriant plant life contribute to the lush and invigorating surroundings. Teak, Khair, Vad, Peepal, Umbar, Neem, Karanj and hundreds of other trees, bushes, creepers and fruit trees like Mango, Jambhul etc. grow here. Besides, the 20 km. long Thane-Bassin creek which passes through the forest is full of rich mangroves on both sides of the creek. The Tulsi and Vihar lakes situated within the park are major sources of water supply to Mumbai and Thane.

The lungs of the city

The thick forest cover of the park naturally renders an invaluable service of helping lower pollution levels in the city by supplying fresh oxygen and acting as a sink. By serving as a huge natural generator of life-sustaining oxygen, the National Park meets the need of the habitants of the region, more specifically, the twin cities of Thane and Mumbai.

Besides, the forest also constitutes an excellent catchment area for the Tulsi and Vihar lakes. If Mumbai has been saved from severe water shortages, it is largely due to the fact that these two lakes that lie within the park precincts meet 5% or more of the city's water supply needs. Mumbai, then, must always remain indebted to this unique natural heritage and protect it at all costs.

The last resort

The Sanjay Gandhi National Parkis situated between the Eastern and Western Express Highways and can be accessed from Thane, Mulund, Borivili and other places, though its headquarters are on the Borivili side. Most of the park is, however, un-fenced and unprotected - thus falling easy prey to encroachers and land grabbers.

Till the not very distant past, the park was the proud home ground for a wide range of flora and fauna. But nowadays, it has gradually begun to become denuded and barren from all sides, due in large measure to the greed of land grabbers, unauthorized wood cutters, poachers and enemies of our natural resources and national wealth. The revival process is slow and adversely affected by the lack of motivation and inadequacy of resources on the part of the official machinery on the one hand, and the ignorance, indifference and basic inertia of the people on the other.

The fact remains, that if not saved from destructive forces in time, the park will be lost forever. And with it, its various inhabitants will not only be left without shelter, but will also face the risk of extinction. The Sanjay Gandhi National Park is the city's last surviving sanctuary of hope. We cannot afford to let it be threatened.

Sunday, July 6, 2014

Trek for a Cause

10:25 AM  No comments

Event Date: August 24th, 2014




Today.. 
Celebrate a day with nature and contribute to a cause

Enjoy the magical spell of nature as the rich forest soaks up the rains and transforms itself into its most beautiful avatar. Walk through gushing streams; climb slippery boulders; splash in waterfalls; have fun and adventure; and above all, CONTRIBUTE TO A CAUSE.

Trishul Learning Centre for less-privileged kids and Nature Knights invite you to the Sylonda trek in Sanjay Gandhi National Park, Borivali, Mumbai, on Sunday, August 24th, 2014.

All profits from this event will be used for funding Trishul Learning Centre and you will get tax benefits under Section 80G for your contribution.

Beneficiaries: Children at Joseph Patel Wadi, A slum at Andheri West, near Seven Bunglows, Versova. Attending Free Trishul Learning Center.

(All profits from this event will be used for funding Trishul Learning Centre Project; Stationery; Art and Craft Material; Faculty Fee; Electricity for centre etc.)


Note: All participants will get 80G Receipts on their payments.

The Adventure Trek: The trek will take us through Sylonda Jungle trail crossing flowing streams. The trek will be escorted by trekking and wild life experts.


Trip Fee for a cause:
Adult Participant: Rs.1000/- per adult.
Student Participant (upto 16 years old): Rs.750/- per adult.
Sponsor 2 children from Trishul Learning Centre: Rs.1500/- (2 children)

=================

Scroll down for inclusions / exclusions / checklist etc.


The forest
The Park houses over 1000 plant species, 251 species of migratory, land and water birds, 50,000 species of insects, 40 species of mammals. In addition, the Park also provides shelter to 38 species of reptiles including crocodiles; monitor lizards; 9 species of amphibians and also 150 species of butterflies; and a large variety of fish.




The Cause
Trishul Learning Centre, a free learning centre for economically less privileged kids. Located at Josep Patel Wadi, Near 7 Bunglows, Versova Welfare School, Fisheries Road, Andheri West, Mumbai. Clickhere to know more about the project; click here to know moreabout Trishul NGO.





The trip fee includes:
80G Receipt for your donation
Certificate of participation and appreciation
Trek to Sylonda Trail (3rd stream)
Expert Support (Wild life and trek)
Hearty Breakfast at beginning of trek
Entry fee and permit at Sylonda Trail
Notebook and ball pen

Excludes:
Bottled water or beverages
Snack during trek
Any kind of Insurance policy
Entry fee or Parking fee to National Park
Parking ticket fee inside National Park if applicable
Un-utilized resources will not be refunded (no refund)

Trip Plan:
8:15 am meeting inside Sanjay Gandhi National Park (Borivali East).
8:30 am Introduction / Induction
8:45 am Breakfast
9:30 am to 1:30 pm Sylonda Jungle Trek
3:30 pm Windup

What to carry and jungle code; what to carry; dos and don’ts:
Eco-sensitive tourism code to be strictly followed; leave only footsteps and take only memories
No littering; not causing any type of damage to forest.
No music players.
Attire: Track Pants / three fourth Pants with t-shirt (preferable full sleeves)
Rain wear (Poncho or Rain Coat); additional small umbrella for photographers)
Hand towel
Personal brunch bag.
Water bottle (Pet bottles or regular water bottles not disposable mineral water)
Carry all items kept in water proof sacks kept in protected backpack.

Optional:
Field Guide
Binoculars
Digital Camera

(Kindly carry enough precautions to protect all your electronic equipments from rain).

Coming Soon Easy Adventures at Sanjay Gandhi National Park

Custom Adventures Customized to meet your needs: Jungle Treks, Nature Trails, Camping and Cycling Trips.


More about Sanjay Gandhi National Park



Sanjay Gandhi National Park (SGNP), previously Borivali National Park (BNP), is a National Park (Reserve Forest) in the northern part of suburban Mumbai city. It encompasses an area of 104 square kilometers (40 sq mi) and is surrounded on three sides by India's mega metro Mumbai. 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.  Inside heart of Park also lays the national heritage Kanheri Caves dating back to 2400 years, there are over a 100 caves sculpted out of the rocky cliffs which lie within the park.

The park is nestled in the hill ranges to the east of the suburb of Borivali. It occupies most of the northern suburbs. To the west lie the townships of Goregaon, Malad, Kandivali, Borivali and Dahisar. To the east lie the townships of Bhandup and Mulund. To the south lies the Aarey Milk Colony. The northern reaches of this forest lie in Thane city. The park and these areas surrounding it are all part of the Mumbai metropolitan area.

The park is a bustling forest, with an estimated 800 types of mauve. This flower is native to the park and the surrounding regions, including Karnala, the Yeoor hills, Tungareshwar and some parts of Goregaon’s Film City. The park is also home to a small population of leopards.

Photo Albums of Sanjay Gandhi National Park


Monsoon-Majic-SJNP-june2010


Sylonda-Jungle-trek

Fews of the Nature Trails / Nature Treks in Forest from Borivali National Park Side.
Sylonda Trail (Going up-to 1st Stream, 2ndStream, 3rd Stream)
Highest Point of Mumbai or Jambul Trail. (Via Kanheri, Via Lower Hill Trail or Via Bamboo Hut Trail)
Bamboo Hut Trail

Lower View Point Trail (Gaumukh Point).
Census-in-SJNP


BNP-Jungle-Trek-Monsoon-2008




Macros


Silonda-Trail-March22-2009


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SGNP-July19-2011
Flora and fauna

The park is home to a number of endangered species of flora and fauna. The forest area of the Park houses over 1000 plant species, 251 species of migratory, land and water birds, 50,000 species of insects, 40 species of mammals. In addition, the Park also provides shelter to 38 species of reptiles including crocodiles; monitor lizards; 9 species of amphibians and also 150 species of butterflies; and a large variety of fish.

Flora: Bamboo, 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.

Karvi
The Karvi shrub, as it is locally called in the Marathi language, sometimes also spelled as Karvy in English, only blooms once in eight years in a mass flowering covering the forest floor in a lavender blush. It grows in abundance in the Western ghats hills near Mumbai including throughout the Sanjay Gandhi National Park as in other parts of its natural range. In Sanjay Gandhi National Park its latest bloomings took place in 2008, and it is scheduled to bloom here again in 2016. Termed by nature enthusiasts as 'nature's miracle' its maximum bloom can be seen on some of the inner paths and trails that lie undisturbed in the park. It survives best on vast slopy expanses on the hillsides with Kanheri caves area of the park being one of the best places to observe large areas of blooms.
In the state of Maharashtra, the mass flowering of Karvi has been observed to occur in Mumbai the same year as in the hill station of Khandala and one year earlier in Bhimashankar and Malshej Ghat, beyond Kalyan. Near Mumbai, the Karvi is also found in Karnala, the Yeoor hills, Tungareshwar and some parts of Goregaon including Film City.

Fauna: 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 hyena or four-horned antelope.

Reptiles living here include: crocodiles in the Tulsi Lake, pythons, cobras, monitor lizards, Russell's Vipers, Bamboo Pit Viper and Ceylonese Cat Snakes.
In 2003, pug marks and droppings of a Bengal tiger were found in the park. Although the tiger was never widely seen,  it did bring some excitement to city folks as records of tiger being found here are quite old and forgotten now with the last tiger being shot down 80 years earlier in the region. Conservation was also proposed for the interlinking habitat corridors and nearby wilderness areas in the state and upgrade their status as Tiger habitat.

Butterflies Total 172 species of butterflies has been reported here, of which the spectacular ones are Blue Mormon, the phenomenal artist of camouflage the Blue Oak leaf, the bright jezebels and Large Yellow and White Orange tips, Tigers, Egg flies and Sailers.

Avian-Fauna: Some of the birds one may see in the park are: Jungle Owlets, golden orioles, racket-tailed drongos, minivets, magpies, robins, hornbills, bulbuls, sunbirds, peacock, and woodpeckers. Migratory and local birds such as paradise flycatcher and various species of kingfishers, mynas, drongos, swifts, gulls, egrets, and herons have also been spotted.

Tuesday, April 29, 2014

SGNP First Monsoon Trek

5:24 PM  No comments

June 22, 2014


Experiences.. The change of season, The First Booms of Monsoon, Peacock Dance, Abundance fresh sprout of greenery, Hill Climb, Exploring Heritage Caves that are over 2000 years old, First Blooms of the season, Plenty of flora-n-flauna 

Grade: Easy


Trip fee:

Rs.300/- 

==================


Includes Fee includes: Basic Breakfast at Kanheri Caves Canteen, Entry fee at Kanheri Caves, Management, Nature Excursion .. 

Breakfast - Sandwiches or Vada Pav or Kanda Poha with Tea. 

Exclusions:

Transport cost is not included in the trip fee (car pool or get your own transport).
Cost of any other item has to be borne by participant.  
Carry own packed lite lunch and water, rain wear. 

What to carry?
2 liters water per head (do not carry packaged mineral water; there are restrictions in all national parks regarding the same). Carry water proper PET Bottles or any other branded water bottle.
Carry packed brunch / snacks
rain wear for emergency.
person first aid; general first aid would be carried by the group lead.
Carry all items in backpack.
attire: Track-pant and full sleeves t-shirt (dry fits or cotton); canvas shoe or trekking shoe; cap or hat; apply sun screen; carry mosquito / insect repellent.
Nice to have: (Camera / Binoculars / field guide on nature / birds etc).

Dos and Don'ts 
We follow all rules of eco-tourism (minimum impact tourism)
Avoid causing any damage to flora, fauna and/or any monuments of archaeology and heritage significance. 
We take back only memories and leave only footsteps 

Meeting Place: SGNP (Main Gate, Borivali East) 

Travel arrangement (Car Pool) and/or Public Transport 
Kindly if you are travelling by your own transport or making a request for car pool.

Planned schedule: 

7:30am assemble at Main gate of SGNP (Borivali East) 

Travel Mode (get your car / bike / transport or Public Transport till Kanheri Caves)

Induction / Introduction 

Nature Trek

Exploring Uncharted .. 

Small Hill climb 

Small Snack Break / Team Games at Turning Point 

Return Trek 

Kanheri Caves Exploring

Windup 1:30 pm at Kanheri Caves

Expected time to be back at SGNP Main Gate 2:00 pm 
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