SGNP drawing visitors with star gazing, nature camps

The Sanjay Gandhi National Park (SGNP), home to multifarious endangered species of flora and fauna, saw at least 13.5 lakh visitors as per the 2015-16 data, earning Rs 9.63 crore in revenue.

Officials have attributed the spike in footfalls to the 10 new activities started at the national park.

In 2013-14, 7.98 lakh people visited the park, generating a revenue worth Rs 4.26 crore, while in 2014-15, it had footfalls of 8.84 lakh with Rs 6.42 crore earned in revenue.

Besides its traditional attractions such as boat rides, safaris and mini train rides, the park has now added star gazing, camping in tents, dormitory facility, creative programmes for children and guided nature trails, among others.

The Nature Information Centre (NIC) that arranges for experts from various fields to conduct activities targeting nature lovers and children, alone earned nearly Rs 22 lakh in revenue in 2015-16, said officials.

Dormitory accommodation and family tents are the additional facilities started by the national park. The NIC conducts camps on stargazing that is guided by an astronomy expert. Its bird watching sessions are conducted by ornithologists, while also having a team of naturalists, herpetologists and zoologists guide its walking tours.

The park has approximately 800 species of flowering plants, 45 species of mammals, 43 species of reptiles, 38 species of snakes, 12 species of amphibians, 300 species of birds and 150 species of butterflies. The area is also a habitat for leopards, wild boar, four-horned antelope, blacknaped hare, wild cat, jackal, and porcupine. Bird species include peacock, lesser grebe, purple heron, smaller egret, lesser whistling teal, pariah kite and bulbul.

“We had begun the tents and dormitories facility with an aim to give Mumbaikars a chance to know SGNP better,” said Vikas Gupta, field director and chief conservator of forests at SGNP.

Mr Gupta said the tents in the park were packed ti capacity during the peak seasons. “We aim to not only attract tourists, but also people from nearby localities. Once the locals are aware of this facility, we might even increase the number of tents.” The park currently has five tents and two dormitories.

Naveen Mohan, a frequent visitor to the park said awareness about the environment had played a major role in getting people to the parks.

“As the new activities are planned to include all age groups, it is more encouraging to explore the park,” he said.

Shaheen Desai, who visits the park every time she is comes to Mumbai, said a number of planned activities executed with expert guidance had drawn more to the park.