With two lakh people expected to visit Sanjay Gandhi National Park (SGNP) on Mahashivratri on Monday, February 20, the forest department has twin daunting tasks of controlling crowds and preventing forest fires

Hordes of devotees and pilgrims will flock to Sanjay Gandhi National Park (SGNP) at Borivli (E) and the age-old Tungareshwar Shiv temple on Mahashivratri on Monday, February 20. An estimated two lakh people are expected to visit SGNP.u00a0 Every year the number keeps increasing, say forest officials. After the festivities, volunteers and authorities have the daunting task of clearing plastic bags, thermocol plates, and heaps of trash littered all across SGNP, the city's largest green lung spread over 104 sq km. But forest fires constitute a major threat to SGNP as forests there are mostly dry and deciduous.


VISIT: Devotees at Kanheri caves during Mahashivratri. FILE PIC

"Our major concern is forest fires which can destroy acres of forest land. Even a matchstick is enough to cause a huge forest fire," said Chief Conservator of Forest and Director of SGNP, Sunil Limaye. Limaye added, "There are various religious structures inside the national park. On February 19, we will allow workers to carry portable cylinders and other items to temples, so that they can prepare food for the devotees within the temple premises.