Mumbai: Sanjay Gandhi National Park at Borivili

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2009 / 2010 Monsoon and Post Monsoon visits to Mumbai's city forest, the SGNP or Sanjay Gandhi National Park at Borivili.

2009: This year the monsoons have arrived almost a month late so today's visit [7 July 2009] to the Silondha Trail still had the forest lilies in bloom which usually flower early June. The forest streams are still very low due to the paucity of rains.

A subsequent visit [2 Aug 2009] to the longer Yeoor Trail saw a few more wildflowers, but again, due to the very poor monsoons so far, the many waterfalls were almost bone dry.

Another visit on 13 September 2009 rewarded us with a profusion of wildflowers and their attendant butterflies.

Further visits post monsoons on 29 November and 5 December 2009 saw a profusion of mostly blue - purple coloured wildflowers, some way out of season. This is probably due to the deficient monsoons, high November temperatures, coupled with a few bursts of post monsoon showers. Whatever the reasons, the flowers were a sight to behold.

2010: First visit of the monsoon season on 26 June. The forest is green with a spathe of white coloured wildflowers. Saw some spotted deer too, and monkeys but naturally. The streams are coming alive though not yet in full flow.

My Flickr photos of SGNP at: http://www.flickr.com/groups/sgnpmumbai/

Map of nature trails within SGNP at: http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4078/4745507960_e699cda265_b.jpg

The ancient Kanheri caves within the sanctuary are also worth a visit.