“And into the forest I go, to lose my mind and find my soul.”
John Muir
Borivali National Park Trail
In the Megacity of Mumbai, it’s easier to lose one’s way as also a sense of space and time. The constant rush and overcrowded places can make one feel disjointed from the self. But the city and its surroundings also offer oases to reclaim that quiet and balance. One such place is the Sanjay Gandhi National Park (SGNP). Locals call it Borivali National Park owing to its location at Borivali, a suburb on the fringes of the city.
The Park is famous for its wildlife, the historical Buddhist caves, Jain temple and the Shiva Temple. Tourist attractions such as a toy train, butterfly garden, boating, walking paths and seating areas make it a popular hot-spot. What is also spectacular are the many hiking trails within the expanse.
Forest Trails
A forest walk in the Mumbai megapolis may sound audacious to many. But once you enter the wide gates right on the Mumbai-Ahmedabad highway, a different world awaits. The Nature Information Centre (NIC) at SGNP offers weekend trails of varying difficulties for which tickets are available on the SGNP website.
The Upper Kanheri Trail is a popular trail that starts with a short bus ride to the base of the Kanheri hill. A steady and gradual climb up the hill takes one to the top where weary feet can savour sprawling views of the National park.
A walk to remember
The path from the base to the prime point takes one through interesting territory. Accompanying guides stop at regular intervals to explain the significance of the trees on the trail. They also share interesting insights about the habitats of insects and amphibians throughout the walk. The Borivali National Park Trail is home to a variety of birds and enthusiasts come geared with binoculars to spot them.
Tree varieties are plentiful and anyone who loves a green cover should be here to understand the ecosystem that is a green lung to the Mumbai city. The symbiotic existence of the plants, insects, and the larger animals is a lesson best learnt here.
