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News Roaring Back To Life: Mumbai's Sanjay Gandhi National Park Resumes Tiger Safari
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Roaring Back To Life: Mumbai's Sanjay Gandhi National Park Resumes Tiger Safari

The Sanjay Gandhi National Park in Mumbai has resumed its tiger safari after a five-year closure for renovation and upgrades.

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By: Esha Dasgupta Published: Jan 18, 2024 05:30 PM IST

Roaring Back To Life: Mumbai's Sanjay Gandhi National Park Resumes Tiger Safari
Image credit: FiledIMAGE/Shutterstock

The long-awaited tiger safari at Sanjay Gandhi National Park has reopened its gates after a five-year hiatus, following extensive renovation and rebuilding efforts. The park has not only reintroduced the tiger safari but also has plans to unveil lion and leopard safaris in the upcoming months, with discussions already underway with relevant authorities.

Sanjay Gandhi National Park reopening and redesign: Key details

Sanjay Gandhi National Park tiger safari
Image credit: Harshit Suryawanshi/Unsplash

Maharashtra State Forest Minister Sudhir Mungantiwar officially inaugurated the tiger safari on January 17, 2024. The safari enclosure, spanning over 20 hectares, was temporarily closed to the public due to a fallen chain-link fence, limiting access to only one hectare of the enclosure. Currently, the safari enclosure is home to two male tigers, and five female tigers, including a cub.

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The revamped tiger safari now encompasses 20 hectares, providing the resident tigers with a space that closely mimics their natural habitat, complete with crawl spaces and watering holes. The aim of redesigning and renovating this national park in central Mumbai is to enhance animal comfort and offer visitors an improved experience. The renovation, costing approximately INR 5.5 crore, not only revitalised the park but also introduced the option for visitors to choose between a primary and a secondary safari experience.

The minister also unveiled six electric buses, capable of accommodating 30 visitors each, for the safari. Donated by the National High-Speed Rail Corporation, these eco-friendly buses will also transport visitors to the Kanheri Caves, a major tourist attraction within the national park.

The tiger safari at Sanjay Gandhi National Park, conceptualised and established in the mid-1990s, opened its doors to the public in 1998. The first residents were a pair of white tigers, brought from the Chhatrapati Sambhaji Nagar Zoo by then-forest minister Chandrakant Khaire.

(Image credit: Harshit Suryawanshi/Unsplash)

Related: This Rarely Visited Corner Of Africa Is A Safari Travel Gem

Written By

Esha Dasgupta

Esha Dasgupta

Esha is a traveller at heart, with a penchant for exploring the unchartered. She has previously worked with TravelTriangle and Internet Moguls. When not in work mode, she can be found downing endless cups of coffee while reading Enid Blyton/Sidney Sheldon.

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