What’s common in Mumbai, Rio de Janeiro, Cape Town and Nairobi?

Each of these metropolises has a national park within city limits.

Mumbai has the Sanjay Gandhi National Park, Cape Town has the Table Mountain National Park, the Kenyan capital has the Nairobi National Park and Rio has the Tijuca National Park.

These parks are each a bastion of rich biodiversity, but burgeoning human population and the consequent habitat loss for the local flora and fauna threaten to erase the remnants of a natural heritage.

It also sets up an antagonistic relationship between people and wildlife, ignoring the value of ecosystem services. ”

https://www.livemint.com/Politics/bMoEd8Dfdbtky6VJRYpqcN/The-urban-jungle-book.html

Sanjay Gandhi National Park(SNGP) is third largest of the four urban jungles in the world, with almost 20% of Mumbai being SNGP. Its in midst of one of the most populated metropolitan cities, A one off in the world. Its a paradox in reality. One moment you are in midst of heavy traffic, lights, noise and air pollution and next moment you are inside deep jungle with its many many species as residents. As author in the above Article quoted there is Human-Wildlife conflict ever persistent here as well. Be it slums or high rise residential buildings, dangerously close and trying to encroach upon the open boundaries of the park.

But who could imagine that within these dangerously close boundaries lies a rich bio-diversity park with its plethora species , flora and fauna. Lucky to have camped inside for a night. Thanks to the 4-5 naturalists of SNGP who took us on a night trail deep inside on foot where I was awestruck by these beauties. They have decent dormitory accommodations separate for men and women along with family cottages available for rent. With evening snacks, dinner and breakfast included.

The moment the park closes in the evening and darkness descends the original inhabitants (these lovely animals) come out. My first night photography attempt it was, clicking under torch lights, flashes and manual focus(actual literally blind focus) . Walking under stars in darkness with the hue of the city lights farther and farther as we walked deeper inside park was sheer magic. Imagine you are walking on a trail, with just the moonlight to guide you, thick green forest cover on both sides and when you adjust your eyes to the darkness you see scores of spotted deer and their shining eyes in the dark of night around you. Someone asked “will the leopard also come here” , with a “maybe yes” response the naturalists had us all intrigued and alert. It was amazing to spot and capture these off beat creatures that you dont see in a regular safari. The early morning trek of 3 hrs across the Upper Kanheri trail was equally exhilarating. Lucky to have witnessed one of last Karvy flowers blooming once in 8 years.

Do share your comments and do please camp a night out in sngp to experience this out of world experience.

Vibhavari..