In a city where fresh air and green open spaces are rapidly being obliterated by clouds of pollution and jungles of concrete, you will be delighted to find that there still exists an expanse of green that is truly precious.

The Sanjay Gandhi National Park, or as commonly known, the Borivili National Park. A miraculously preserved natural oasis in the heart of an urban sprawl, this park is very much within the city limits, yet far removed from its crowds and clamour.

A protected area of almost 9000 hectares, the park is fringed by a flourishing population of more than 12 million people. It is hard to believe but true, that within an hour's drive can transport you from life in the fast lane to a serene and tranquil haven that spreads out a green carpet welcome.And a blanket of clouds and mist in the enchanting monsoon months. Beckoning you to enter a whole new world of verdant wilderness abounding in myriad life forms.

Topography:

The undulating green lands of the Borivili National Park are just the kind of surroundings to which one would love to retreat for some moments of quiet introspection or meditation. The great panoramic views of hills, valleys, lakes and open expanses can actually have a therapeutic effect on mind, body and soul. Rising from an elevation less than about 30 Mts. above mean sea level, the terrain park culminates in a series of peaks dispersed throughout the park - the highest, near the Kanheri Caves, being 468 Mts.

Temperature :
The mean annual temperature is 27'C with a range of 15'C-35'C over the period. The proximity to the sea has a moderating influence on the climate. The ideal season to visit the National Park is from Nov. to Feb., when temperatures are below 30'C. The relative humidity is always above 60% very often exceeding above 80% during the monsoons.

Rainfall:
The south west monsoon bursts about mid June and continues with great gusto till September. The maximum rainfall occurs in the months of July and August. The mean annual rainfall is 2500 mm.

Forest type:
The forest can be classified into two main classes - South Indian Moist Deciduous and Semi-Evergreen, which can be further differentiated as :

• Moist Teak Bearing forest.
• Southern Moist mixed Deciduous forest.
• Mangrove scrub.
• Western Sub-Tropical Hill forest.
  

The number of panthers roaming in Mumbai's wild has fallen from 33 to 25, says the preliminary results of animal census held last month in SGNP, Borivili and the adjoining Tungareshwar region.

A census conducted in 2004 indicated that there were 33 panthers in the forest.

Last June, incidents of panthers straying in to residential colonies on the periphery of the park had increased. This spurred the then forest minister , Surupsingh Naik to order that all panthers straying out of the park be trapped.

As a result, 28 big cats were trapped, a majority from Powai and Aarey areas.

Due to public outrage, the forest department had no option but to keep the trapped panthers caged. However, some of them have been released after a few months.

Bombay Natural History Society has appointed a team of nature educators at the Nature Information Centre - Project (NIC), Sanjay Gandhi National Park, Borivali, to help visitors, students and corporate groups explore the natural wealth of this unique forest.