Sanjay Gandhi National Park

Formerly known as Borivali National Park, Sanjay Gandhi National Park, is located within the city limits of Mumbai, the capital of Maharashtra. 

Probably one of Asia's most visited parks (about 2 million visitors annually) it is known for its dense forests, vast bird life, butterflies, and the small population of tigers. The park also encompasses the famous Kanheri Cave complex (between 1st century BC and 9th century AD), two lakes Tulsi and Vihar Lake that provide water to Mumbai city. 

Spreading over an area of 104 sq. km, it has a strong historical background. In the pre independence era, when the Forest Department came into existence, they named the forest area near the two ancient ports of Nala Sopara and Kalyan (dates back to 4th century) as the Krishnagiri National Park and at the time the area was just 20.26 sq.km. And in 1969, the park was expanded to its present size.

 After this, an independent unit of the Forest Department called 'Borivali National Park Sub-division' was created and the Krishnagiri National Park was renamed as 'Borivali National Park'. In 1981, it was once again re-christened as 'Sanjay Gandhi National Park' after Sanjay Gandhi, the son of ex Prime Minister of India Indira Gandhi, who was killed in an air crash.

The park boasts more than 1000 species of plants, 40 species of mammals, 251 species of birds including migratory and water birds, 38 species of reptiles, 9 species of amphibians and a large variety of fish, insects and other life forms. The park comes alive during the monsoon season. 

The vegetation comprises of tropical dry deciduous forest which contains secondary - growth trees such as teak, Khair, Vad, Peepal, Umbar, Neem, Karanj and hundreds of other trees, bushes, creepers and fruit trees like Mango, Jambhul etc. About 1,000 species of flowering plants and species of Acacia, Ziziphus, Euphorbia, Flame of the forest, Red silk cotton are also in the park.