13 July,2014 08:16 AM IST | | Ranjeet Jadhav
Authorities have started five new trails at the Sanjay Gandhi National Park this year to help conserve the environment and wildlife
Nature lovers who wish to explore the beauty of Sanjay Gandhi National Park (SGNP) this monsoon have reason to rejoice as this year, authorities have started five new trails in the vicinity. Till last year, enthusiasts could only go to two treks - Shilonda, which is famous for sightings of birds and amphibians and Jambulmal, the highest point trek as it is located at 1,500 meters above the city.
In coming days, more activities will be organised at SGNP. Representational Pic
But this time, in addition, to these two places, they can go for five more treks - the Malad nature trail, Bamboo hut nature trail and trek, Kanheri trail, the Horse Saddle Point Trek and from Gandhi tekdi to Krishnanagri. SGNP Director and Chief Conservator of Forest (CCF) Vikas Gupta said, "In the coming days we will have more activities.
The initiative has been started to help Mumbaikars go for nature trails and treks within the city itself and explore the unseen beauty of this 104 sq km forest. We want people to come in large numbers and witness the rich biodiversity of our forest. By promoting such initiatives, it will also help us to conserve the environment and wildlife." SGNP authorities have already started publicising these new spots on social networking sites.
Exploring new places
Each of these destinations has unique features. Usually, the Shilonda trail is very popular with the public as they get a chance to walk through the water stream at three different paces. At the first stream, they cover a short distance, at the second stream the distance increases and at the final stream, they get an opportunity to visit the Dahisar dam.
This trek is usually taken when the water level is low at the dam. This trail is also famous for the sightings of birds and amphibians.
The Malad nature trail starts from SGNP and goes on a mud track towards the city via the forest. Nature enthusiasts can enjoy the view of the concrete jungle on one side and the actual jungle on the other side. After taking the Jambulmal trek and reaching at the top, one gets a bird's eye view of the entire city. Experts and naturalists from SGNP accompany citizens on trips and guide them on certain dos and dont's that they need to adhere to. They also give them information about the floura and fauna and the wildlife and why they should be preserved.
