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Lion and Tiger Safari in Sanjay Gandhi National Park, Mumbai, Maharashtra, India.शेर,बाघ
Main attractions of the park are a lion safari and a tiger safari for encouraging eco-tourism.[27] The lion safari is a 20-minute ride through a 12 ha (29.65 acres) fenced forest area in one of the park’s green buses. The park is said to have a total of about 25 lions and lionesses. There are hardly 2 lions which visitors can safely see up close from inside the caged buses. The remaining 23 have been relocated or placed in fenced areas far away from the roads used by the green buses. During visiting hours, some of the resident lions are let out into the enclosure, and can be viewed from the safety of the bus. There are 4 tigers that are kept semi-confined in a 20 ha (49.42 acres) fenced area that is toured by the buses. A 5 m (16.40 ft) high and 2,200 m (7,217.85 ft) long protective fencing surrounds the area. This is done so that all visitors can safely view lions and tigers in their natural habitat. Here the visitors are caged in the bus so the big cats can roam like in the wild. Two other tigers roam in a much larger area. There are many claims that many times these tigers and lions are tranquilised, so that the number of tourists can be increased it is not good for tourister.
Sanjay Gandhi National Park (SGNP), previously called Borivali National Park,[3] is a large protected area in the northern part of Mumbai city (preferably called Mumbai Suburban district) in Maharashtra State in India.[4][5] It encompasses an area of 104 km2 (40 sq mi) and is surrounded on three sides by India’s most populous city.[6] 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 2400-year-old Kanheri caves sculpted out of the rocky cliffs which lie within the park.
Sanjay Gandhi National Park is said to be one of the most visited national parks in Asia. According to estimates, around 2 million visitors visit this park annually. Collection at the gates in November 2004 touched ₹9.8 million (US$150,000).
The Krishnagiri Upavan is an area of approximately 5.5 km2 (2.12 sq mi) reserved as an easily accessible public recreation zone inside the park. The remaining core area has restricted access. Among the several attractions of the Krishnagiri Upavan is a mini-zoo where visitors can view animals up close. There is a crocodile park where one can easily view different sizes of these reptiles all at one place. The lion and tiger safaris educate and guide visitors through the natural habitats of these animals. A narrow gauge train travels around the tourist zone showcasing parts of the rich biodiversity. There a boating facility where visitors can rent a two-person pedal-powered boat for Rs. 15 per 15-minute increment. Two watchtowers are available for panoramic views of the park.
Many visitors also travel to the Kanheri Caves, especially on an auspicious day in August. Nature trails and treks are also popular. Rock climbing enthusiasts often come to national park. Many rock faces around the national park and the Kanheri Caves offer a great opportunity for rock climbers.
The national park is also a paradise for morning walk lovers. Every morning, thousands of people, elderly, youth, children visit the park to get a breath of fresh air. Many practice for Annual Marathon here. There are so many who practice cricket, badminton and other sports here. The entree fee is Rs 133 per year. Senior citizens get a discount. There are many parks created inside the national park. Those who want to go on long walks prefer the straight routes whereas those who want to enjoy the beauty and fragrance of flowers, see mini waterfalls, rest in between, prefer the parks. many people carry their cameras to take pictures of the rising sun, lotus flowers, occasional deers who can be spotted if you are lucky and finally the mist covered boating lake which looks heavenly.
In the early 2000s a road, as proposed, would have cut through the park. Animal Activist Tarun Nayar 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.
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