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History The park dates back to the 4th century BC. Sopara and Kalyan were two ports in the vicinity that traded with ancient lands such as Greece and Mesopotamia. The routes between these two ports cut through this forest. The Park was named Krishnagiri National Park in the pre-independence era. In 1969, the Park enclosed 20.26 km². After that various properties lining the park were acquired to get the present area. A separate forest division was created under the Indian Forest Service department, and the Park was christened Borivli National Park after the nearby Borivali area. In 1981, the name was changed to Sanjay Gandhi National Park, after Sanjay Gandhi, the son of Indira Gandhi who died in an air crash. Kanheri caves The Kanheri Caves are a protected archaeological site. The caves were sculpted by Buddhist residents. The area was actually a settlement and once served as inns for travellers. The word Kanheri comes from the Sanskrit word Krishnagiri which means Black Mountain. Geography
Biodiversity The park is a bustling forest. An estimated 800 types of flowering plants; 284 kinds of birds; 5,000 species of insects; 36 types of mammals; 50 reptiles and 150 species of butterfly (which are 2.5 times the number found in the United Kingdom) call the forest their home. The park has also many endangered species of plant and animal. The world largest moth, the Atlas moth, was discovered here. Karvi, a flowering plant, blooms once in 7 years, carpeting the slopes with a shade of mauve. In 2003, pug marks and droppings of a tiger were found in this region. Although the tiger was never spotted, it did bring some excitement to city folks as the last tiger was shot down 80 years earlier. Tourism A small section of the park is open to the public. A mini zoo was also created so that visitors can view the animals from afar. A safari also guides and educates visitors on the natural habitats of these animals. A now-defunct toy train used to travel around the tourist zone showcasing parts of the rich biodiversity. Many visitors do also travel to the Kanheri Caves, especially on an auspicious day in August. Nature trails and treks are also popular with some leading you to the Highest Point trail, the highest point in the city, to take a panoramic view of the city. Collection at the gates in November 2004 touched Rs 98 lakh (9.8 million rupees). Other recreation spots include a boating facility in the recreation zone of Krishnagiri in Borivali. Vanrani
Taramati Temple Taramati Temple is on the top of the mountain towards Mulund. This temple was demolished by the forest department some years ago but Mulund locals with vested interest are trying to reconstruct the temple. Once the temple is complete some Religious leaders will arrive and settle down gradually. Problems The park has faced a number of problems similar to those faced by national parks elsewhere in the world, involving conflicts between natural and human interests. In the early 1970s a road, as proposed, would have cut through the park. Naturalist Humayun Ali went to court to halt this project. The lack of space in Mumbai has pushed residential colonies right up to the park boundary. This boundary is poorly fenced and has often allowed wild animals into human habitations. Slums have mushroomed around the park as well. Corruption among local politicians and Mumbai's influential builder lobby are commonly seen as responsible for a perceived shrinking of the park. In June 2004, leopards were responsible for the deaths of 20 humans within the span of a week. This was not the first attack. For the past 10 years there have been attacks attributed to leopards stalking children and adults outside the park fringes. After an outcry was raised and the situation reached alarming proportions, eight leopards were caught and relocated. | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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