We invite Wildlife Photographers and Nature Enthusiasts to enjoy watching a beautiful Sunrise at Tulsi Lake (located within the Core Area of SGNP, popularly known as Borivali National Park)
during a Nature Trail on Sunday, 30th January 2011.
Sanjay Gandhi National Park (SGNP), also popularly known as Borivali National Park, is one of the few green areas remaining in the city of Mumbai.
It is known as the 'Lungs' of our City, providing us with the much needed fresh air as well as clean water and also, sustaining a good number of Big Cats, like panthers and other animals.
SGNP is known for its biodiversity which holds more than a thousand species of plants, about 40 different species of mammals, approx. 250-300 sps of birds, many species of reptiles and amphibians!!
Flora:
Flora mainly includes Adina cardifolia (kadamb), Albizzia lebbek (Shirish), Pongamia pinnata (Karanj),Tectona grandis (Teak) Dalbergia latifolia (Sishum),Bombax malabaricum (Semal) and Erythrina indica (Indian coral tree) to Acacia, Zizyphus and evergreen patches of Euphorbia, alongwith huge clumps of Bamboo. One can see the beautiful flowering of Butea monosperma (Flame of the Forest) during the dry month of February.
The forest also shows a lot of Liana (woody climbers), many species of orchids and a large variety of shrubs.
One of the most spectacular sights is the mass flowering of Karvi (Strobilanthus sps), which happens once only in 7 years and which gives a beautiful purple hue to the entire landscape.
Fauna:
Birds : SGNP is a Birder's Paradise.
One can see various kinds of BIrds, right from the tiny Tickell's flower pecker (supposed to be the smallest bird in India, Sunbirds, Eagles and Hawks, Asian Paradise Flycatcher, Kingfishers, Woodpeckers, and Drongos. As one enters the Park, the continuous calling of LGB - Large Green Barbet, the call of the Spotted Babblers and the loud percing calls of the Parakeets cannot be ignored.
Reptiles :
Various reptiles that we could see at Tulsi lake ranges from a Monitor lizard to Pythons, Cobras, Russell's viper, Bamboo pit viper and smaller animals like Crabs, Spiders - Giant wood spiders, Signature spiders, Black wood spider, and Insects like the Silk cotton bugs, Beetles, Grasshoppers, etc.
Butterflies :
SGNP is also a 'Butterflier's' Paradise and one cannot miss the Orange Tips, Grass Yellows, Striped and Plain Tigers, Jezebels, Emigrants, Blue Mormon, the Blue Oak leaf, the Blues and many others!!
Tulsi Lake is a fresh water lake within the densely forested core area of the National Park and provides potable water to the residents of Mumbai City.
So join us on a Nature Trail to Tulsi Lake on Sunday, 30th January 2011 from 6:00 AM to 11:30 AM.
For confirmations, please call on 0-9769651849, ASAP.
Limited Group Size.
Cheers!!
Wildpaw Adventures
0-9769651849
