Covering an area of 3,287,263 sq. km, India is the world’s 7th largest and the 2nd most populous nation. This South Asian country supports more than 8% of the global biodiversity and is considered as one of the megadiverse countries of the world. At present, India hosts a total of 104 National Parks, which account for about 1.33% of the country’s geographical area.
Situated in the northern suburbs of the city of Mumbai, in the Indian state of Maharashtra is the Sanjay Gandhi National Park. The Park is the only wildlife preserve in the world that is located within the administrative limits of a metropolitan city. It is also one of the most visited national parks in the continent of Asia and its abundant flora and fauna attract over 2 million visitors annually.
Geography

Skyrises of Mumbai City outside the Sanjay Gandhi National Park. The Sanjay Gandhi National Park features a hilly terrain with elevations ranging between 30 and 480m. Located at the heart of Mumbai, the park and its surrounding green stretches serve as “green lungs” for India’s commercial capital. The Park harbors two artificial freshwater lakes namely the Tulsi, and Vihar Lakes. The water from these lakes is used to supply a portion of drinking water for the humongous population of Mumbai. The remaining portion of the city’s drinking water comes from other protected areas such as the Tansa and Tungareshwar Wildlife Sanctuaries.
The 5.5 sq. km Krishnagiri Upavan, is a recreation area located inside the National Park and is easily accessed by tourists. This area hosts a small zoo, and a crocodile park and offers many recreational activities for the tourists like lion and tiger safaris, moving around via the Van Rani narrow-gauge train, several walking trails, etc.
Climate

Ecology

A chameleon in the Sanjay Gandhi National Park, Mumbai. The green cover of the National Park provides critical habitats for many faunal species. This National Park is home to one of the world’s largest densities of leopards. Camera trapping studies have revealed that this urban wilderness boasts of more than 47 wild leopards, who have learned to coexist with the high human population that lives around the periphery of the national park. Besides leopards, the park supports about 40 species of mammals, 78 species of amphibians and reptiles, 172 species of butterflies, and over 254 species of resident and migratory birds.
An Angled Pierrot butterfly in Sanjay Gandhi National Park,Mumbai. Some of the common animals that are found here include spotted deer, sambar deer, four-horned antelope, muntjac, rhesus and bonnet macaque, Hanuman langur, porcupine, Indian hare, Indian flying fox, and Asian palm civet. Reptilian species like Russell’s viper, bamboo pit viper, pythons, monitor lizards, etc. are also found. Numerous beautiful butterflies like Blue Mormon, common jezebel, tiger butterfly, Atlas moth, etc. have been recorded in the Sanjay Gandhi National Park. Some of the significant avian species such as golden orioles, sunbirds, peacocks, hornbills, jungle owlets, drongos, kingfishers, herons, etc. are observed in the National Park.
Brief History

Threats
