The initiative aims to improve tourist safety, protect the park’s fragile ecosystem, and create livelihood opportunities for local tribal women, officials said
The new electric vehicles are completely eco-friendly, significantly reducing carbon emissions and noise pollution within the park. Pic/Ranjeet Jadhav
In a major step towards sustainable tourism and community upliftment, Sanjay Gandhi National Park (SGNP) in Mumbai on Saturday launched a fleet of 10 electric buggies (e-buggies) for internal transport which will be operated by the local tribal women, officials said.
The initiative aims to improve tourist safety, protect the park’s fragile ecosystem, and create livelihood opportunities for local tribal women.
The new electric vehicles are completely eco-friendly, significantly reducing carbon emissions and noise pollution within the park. Unlike conventional transport, these buggies offer a quieter, cleaner way for visitors to explore the park, while also ensuring minimal disturbance to the wildlife.
In a pioneering move, the buggies are being operated by tribal women from nearby communities. This has not only empowered them with employment but also integrated local communities into the park's conservation efforts, officials said.
Forest Minister Ganesh Naik inaugurated the service at a special ceremony held at SGNP, accompanied by senior officials from the forest department and local leaders. He praised the initiative as a model example of "green mobility and inclusive development".
Speaking at the event, the Minister highlighted the dual benefits of the project, “This initiative not only strengthens our commitment to environmental protection but also provides meaningful livelihoods to our tribal communities. It’s a win-win for nature and people.”
The SGNP authorities said that this is just the beginning, and more such eco-conscious measures are planned for the future.
The park, which is one of the few national parks located within a metropolitan city, sees thousands of visitors every week, making sustainable transport a critical need.
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