International Architect to Revamp Mumbai National Park

Maharashtra is appointing an international architect to draw up a plan for a facelift and to develop amenities to improve tourism at the Sanjay Gandhi National Park (SGNP), Borivli. As per directions of the CM, a proposal to develop the 103 sq. km SGNP as an international ecotourism destination is being formulated. A tender has already been floated to appoint an international architect who will study features of SGNP and suggest ways of revamping without interfering with the provisions of the Forest Conservation Act, 1980. The minister added that a state-wide policy to enhance green cover for urban cities, towns and districts was being prepared. “Plans similar to SGNP will be replicated for 50 locations across 26 municipal corporations under our City Forest Park scheme (Nagar Van Udayan). These locations would have either eco-tourism destinations of international standards, reserved forests or conservation reserves admeasuring 25 to 100 hectare range either within the city or in its periphery. Maximum of Rs2 crore will be provided for each city forest, but funding share (between Centre and state) is yet to be decided,” said Rathod