Rs 30 crore has already been sanctioned for SGNP, of which Rs 5 crore has been allocated to develop eco-tourism at the park.
The new year is likely to see several plans rolling out to not only improve the run-down facilities at the Sanjay Gandhi National Park (SGNP) but to also make it a preferred destination for tourists.
According to senior forest department officials, finance minister Sudhir Mungantiwar, who is also the state's forest minister, is emphasising on plans to have SGNP, the Tadoba Andheri tiger project and the Gorewada zoo to be developed on the lines of international forest tourism destinations. Rs 30 crore has already been sanctioned for SGNP, of which Rs 5 crore has been allocated to develop eco-tourism at the park.
State-of-the-art animal hospital
SGNP has several animals, including lions, tigers and leopards in captivity, apart from a wild population of 32 leopards documented so far. Besides regular rescue and treatment of animals, the park authorities also get wild animals rescued from various parts of Maharashtra. However, there is no good animal hospital till now. But finally, things are set to change this year, as a detailed plan has been prepared to revamp the existing animal hospital with almost Rs 2 crore.
"We have proposed a well-equipped and state-of-the-art animal hospital on the existing premises, where the veterinary officer has his office. The office is in a dilapidated condition. A new building will come up here with all the requirements for animal treatment, including a veterinarian-in-residence, so that care is always available for any emergency," said Vikas Gupta, chief conservator of forest (CCF) and field director of SGNP, adding that some cages for animals will be set up close to the hospital, so that animals in need of regular attention can be attended to.
Nature information centre (NIC)
Forest officials informed that a nature interpretation centre (NIC) played the most important role in dispersing information about any such forest tourism destination and was an important hub to hold several educational activities. Therefore, SGNP has partnered with the centre for environment education (CEE), Ahmedabad, to completely modify the existing NIC.
"We want to ensure that the first impression of the tourists and nature lovers visiting the urban wilderness of SGNP is full of impact. So we have decided to completely overhaul the NIC. CEE is the best in the field, so it has been asked to put installations that should make one understand the role the park plays and why it is the bio-diversity hotspot despite being surrounded by a bustling city on all the sides," said Gupta, adding the new NIC should be ready to woo tourists by the end of the year.
Taxidermy centre
SGNP also holds the distinction of being the only national park in the country to house a full-fledged taxidermy centre recognised by the forest department. Taxidermy is the art of stuffing carcasses of animals or birds and preserving them for academic purposes.
The existing taxidermy centre was built in 2009 and underwent a few repairs but has been in a pathetic condition, as not only space is proving to be a constraint but even the roofs leak and the centre is plagued with other issues that affect the work of taxidermists.
According to a senior forest official from SGNP, the new centre will be built at the same location and will have ample space, along with a viewing gallery, where the exhibits prepared will be kept. "The centre will also have an area for orientation and place to carry out educational workshops for people interested in this dying art," said the official, adding that even this centre will be ready by the end of the year.
Cats orientation centre
With SGNP's lion and tiger safari being one of the biggest tourist-pullers, there are plans to have a dedicated centre to provide information about wild cats found in the country. "This centre will be built close to the area where tourists purchase safari tickets and board bus, so that they can visit the centre before going for the safari. We have appointed CEE to set up this centre," said an official.
Other facilities
Fragrance garden located in a two-acre space will attract tourists with several species of aromatic plants and flowers. Facilities such as boating, along with the toy train, will be improved upon. A special area close to the boating lake will be dedicated to children for playing, which will have interesting installation for their edutainment.
SGNP will also improve the street furniture across, and there will be seating infrastructure created along with proper signages, not only providing information on the park's biodiversity but also directions.
About SGNP
SGNP or the Borivli national park is world's largest such park within city limits. The national park division is spread over an area of 198.34 sqkm, including the Tungareshwar sanctuary, spanning parts of the Mumbai (suburban), Palghar and Thane districts. It also houses the Buddhist-era Kanheri caves, which date to between the first century BC and ninth century AD, and the Tulsi and Vihar lakes, which supply water to Mumbai.
Apart from captive tigers, lions, leopards, spotted deers and even the rare rusty spotted cat, SGNP houses many endangered species and its flora and fauna includes 170 butterfly species, two dozen species of ants and 274 birds, including migratory birds.
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 "Sanjay Gandhi National Park")
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