Common Vertebrate Species of Sanjay Gandhi National Park Borivali, Mumbai

Contents: Introduction. 1. Mammalia. 2. Aves. 3. Reptilia. 4. Amphibia. 5. Table. References.

From the introduction: "Among the four National Parks in the State of Maharashtra, Sanjay Gandhi National Park (originally known as Borivali National Park) is an attractively preserved green oasis within the confine of Mumbai (Bombay) metropolis. The park exhibits an amazing diversity of terrain from 30 m above sea level, to almost 500 m and displays coastal, dry and mixed deciduous and typical Western Ghat plateau habitats. It boasts of two big lakes (Tulsi and Vihar) and a number of 2000 years old Buddhist caves popularly known as Kanheri caves.

Due to its proximity to Mumbai city, a lot of people visit, study and write about this park. In this booklet an attempt has been made to provide a concise general information about the commonly known vertebrate and some of the invertebrate species for the benefit of visitors.

Sanjay Gandhi National Park (preciously known as Krishnagiri Upawan and later as Borivali National Park) is situated about 25 km North of Mumbai city and is only 8 km from the shores of the Arabian Sea. It lies between 72o53 & 72o50 East longitude and 19o88 & 19o21 North latitude. The southern boundary of the park is formed by the shore of Vihar lake, the eastern by the townships of Bhandup, Mulund and Thane and the Western by Goregaon, Malad, Kandivli and Borivali suburbs of Mumbai.

The Northern boundary extends beyond Bassein creek and includes the Nagla forest block. The park covers an area of 96.40 sq. kms., out of which the recreational sector alone takes up 5.06 sq. kms., area. The park terrain is semi-mountainous; the level ground being between Tulsi and Vihar lakes, the lower westerly reaches of Krishnagiri Upawan and the Northern end of Chenna forest. These hills are regarded as the outer spurs of the Sahyadris (Western Ghats). The major sources of water in the park are Tulsi Vihar lakes and Dahisar Rewat nallas. Tulsi and Vihar have a combined water spread area of about 8.62 sq. kms. and are source of drinking water supply to Mumbai city.

The present communication gives an account on commonly occurring 21 mammalian, 38 avian (bird), 16 reptilian and 3 amphibian species. The account covers information, in brief, on diagnostic characters, distribution, habit and current status (including conservation status) for the benefit of the visitor."