City Forest Project

As the sixth largest urban agglomeration in the world, Mumbai is blessed to have a national park within its limits. Sanjay Gandhi National Park (SGNP) is 103 sq. km. in size and has a rich variety of flora and fauna, with leopards as its apex predator. Two lakes namely Tulsi and Vihar which supply 5-8% of Mumbai’s drinking water supply are situated within the Park. As the Park is right in the heart of the city, it is encroached by a vast sea of human settlements leading to degradation of the Park as well as human-wildlife conflict.          

The City Forest Project, initiated by the Bombay Natural History Society aims to protect the natural habitats of Mumbai and Thane, especially SGNP and Tungareshwar Wildlife Sanctuary (TWLS).

The Forest and Wildlife Conservation Society (FWCS) is dedicated to continue working on the City Forest Project, in line with the following objectives:

• Ecological research including: systematic documentation of biodiversity within SGNP; behavioural and biological studies of flagship species; and environmental monitoring of the wildlife habitats and abiotic features of the Park.
• Reducing human-wildlife conflict through awareness and education programs for residents living adjacent to SGNP.
• Increasing public awareness of conservation through anti-littering, fire safety and responsible tourism programs, especially during major events and festivals such as Mahashivratri.
• Creating documentaries to increase global awareness about the plight of the leopards and other species within SGNP.