After nine months of lockdown, The Sanjay Gandhi National Park (SGNP) in Borivli has reopened with strict guidelines in place. Tourists are allowed to enter the park from 8.30 am to 6.30 pm. However, there are also many restrictions. Attractions such as the lion and tiger safari, boat rides over Dahisar river, mini train and access to Vihar and Tulsi Lake areas will remain shut for tourists. In addition, visitors will also not be allowed at the Kanheri caves and tourists will be permitted to go as far as the Trimurti Road Tumnipada gate.
Life before and after the lockdown have a stark difference. For instance, before the lockdown, private vehicles heading towards Kanheri caves caused traffic snarls inside the national park, especially on weekends. According to official estimates, Sanjay Gandhi National Park in Mumbai receives more than 12 lakh visitors every year. It earns around ₹50-70 lakh in entry charges annually. The national park now bans private vehicles to reduce pollution and traffic. However, visitors can hop in battery-operated buses to take a tour inside.
Sanjay Gandhi National Park Bans Private Vehicles
After the reopening of Sanjay Gandhi National Park (SGNP), private vehicles will be prohibited. Instead, 16 battery-operated buses shall ferry people inside the park, especially to the Kanheri caves. Before the lockdown, private vehicles heading towards Kanheri caves caused traffic snarls inside the national park, especially on weekends.
Also Read: Mumbai’s Iconic Wankhede Stadium To Soon Be Open For Tourists & Fans
G Mallikarjun, director, SGNP said, “Vehicles create disturbance for animals that venture out in search of water and prey. We want a total restriction on the entry of private vehicles into the park premises. I am told, on weekends there is bumper to bumper traffic inside the park.” SGNP is also planning to reopen the park for registered morning walkers from October 15. The official authorities will be allowing walkers between 5.30 am and 7.30 am on a marked trail inside the forest.
Also Read: This White Sand Beach Just 1 Hour From Mumbai Is The Answer To Your Cancelled Goa Plans
SGNP Plans To Use Satellite Images To Trace Encroachments
To reduce forest land encroachment, the SGNP park is planning to use satellite images of all forested areas to trace the timeline of encroachments. As per previous documents, 28,951 illegal structures are built inside and around the periphery of SGNP. However, officials said no current data is available to trace the growth of encroachments in the area. “I need data in my hand where the encroachment increasing. Currently, we depend on complaints or staff visits to an area. Encroachers also know that we don’t have data and the whole encroachment removal exercise falls into a loophole. If tomorrow, someone makes a claim, I can verify it if there is data in form of satellite images,” Mallikarjun said.
Also Read: Thailand’s National Park Sends Back Trash To Travellers Who Littered
The State Forest department has also proposed a wireless communication project for its frontline staff to enhance connectivity across Mumbai, Thane and Palghar forest areas. Meanwhile go on a virtual tour to Madhya Pradesh’s jungle of Kanha through this video below.