Last modified on December 3rd, 2011 at 5:31 am

MNP ( Maharashtra Nature Park ) – Sion, Mumbai

“Green Heaven in center of concrete city Mumbai, ‘Maharashtra Nature Park’ (MNP) which was once called ‘Mahim Nature Park’ is located at Bandra Sion link road, exactly opposite side of Dharavi slums. This nature park has magical Woodland with 14 thousand trees, 300 varieties of plants with few as herbs, a lake, 100′s of varieties of migrating birds, insects, beautiful butterflies, reptiles and few mammals too..”

Quick Look : [ About this Nature Park ], [ Birds ], [ Plants ], [ Reptiles ], [ Butterflies ], [ Mammals ], [ How to Reach this Nature Park ], [ Timings and Charges ], [ MNP Contact Number ], [ Updates ]

Maharashtra Nature Park

Inside Maharashtra Nature Park

Not more than 30 years old, this 35 to 40 acre land was a pure garbage dumping area with no trees. The eye opening location of this park being on other side of road is the dharavi slums and just opposite is this green heaven with a different climate and temperature you can feel, that’s the beauty of mother earth. It will take about 2 to 3 hours completely to check every plant, bird, insects and those reptiles inside this green woodland.

The once Mahim nature park full of garbage is now a green park with about thousands of trees, and since it is in middle of city with concrete high skylines around, it attracts varieties of local birds and also season migratory birds from far in the country, so don’t forget to get along your binoculars to watch those beautiful birds.

Birds

To feel the climate of this green heaven on your skin it is recommended to reach here early in morning when the nature park is opened at 9:30 am, and this is the time this park attracts major birds. So if you are one of those bird watching lovers, go along with the ranger who will guide you to the flora and faunas inside the nature park with nominal charges.

Laughing Dove, Black kite, Greater Coucal, Shikara, Great Egret, Eurasian Wryneck, Purple Sunbird, Little Green Bee Eater, Blue throat and Barn swallow birds are some of those migratory birds that your can see inside during morning and evening times.

Plants

MNP attracts plant lovers too, with a wide range of about 300 variety of plants with some rare having herbal qualities, explore this park with ranger who will guide you to each of this important plant as shown on his map. Official of Maharashtra nature park now grow the varieties of plant endemic in nature. All this plant with flora and faunas around attracts those tiny beautiful butterflies in group which is an unexpected experience in Mumbai city.

Teak, Golden Apple trees, Lasora, Bottle brusk oak, flame of the forest, devil’s tree, Kokk, Kadamba, Soccer ball are some of the plants in this green park.

Reptiles

The lake inside the park attracts species of water birds nad reptiles too, major species that can be seen here is Russell’s viper, Rat snake, The dangerous cobra and the green vine snake along the lake corners quite natural since there are varieties of frogs and insects like Chameleon, Northern house Gecko and Garden Lizards too.

Water birds like Greater spotted eagle, Ring Necked parakeets, Asian Pied Starling, mahratta Woodpeckers and Barn owl are some of them seen in nature park.

Butterflies

Enjoy them flying in groups, rarely seen anywhere inside or near Mumbai city, you can see species of butterflies like Commander, Black Rajah, Blue Tiger, Blue Oak leaf, Lime Butterfly, White Orange tip, Common Rose, Psyche, The Pioneer, Baronet and some of those found at MNP.

Mammals

Nature attracts everyone to it and Mammals are not left out in this park. Those fruit bats, Mongooses (Enemy of snakes) and those quick running striped squirrels are among some of those mammals inside MNP near lake.

How to Reach MNP

Address : Maharashtra Nature Park, Next to Dharavi Bus Depot, Dharavi, Bandra Sion Link Road, Mumbai – 400017
Land Mark : opposite PMGP Colony.
Parking : Yes parking space is available at MNP.

Charges and Timings

MNP is open in weekdays between 9:30 am to 6 pm and the entry fees is Rs.5/- per head. If you are planning to visit on Sundays or any national holidays you need to take prior permission and intimate them first)

Contact Numbers

022-24077641 / 022-24079939 ( ISD code for India is 91)

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