Dates:Â March 10, 2013
Venue: Sanjay Gandhi National Park, Mumbai
Contact Details:Â Interested individuals may call any of the following coordinators for further information:
Tejal - Call / SMS 9833707598Â or send an e-mail to tejal.roots@gmail.com
John Manjali - Call/SMS 9892680749 or send e-mail at ecovigilantgroup@gmail.com
Rituja - Call/ SMSÂ 9892272625 or send e-mail at rutuja.vanashakti@gmail.com
The Maha Shivratri festival is one that involves a day-long fast and offerings of Bel or Bilva leaves in honour of the Hindu God Shiva. Unfortunately, for the forests of Mumbai's Sanjay Gandhi National Park, the festival of reverence signifies a day of ruin - the throngs of devotees to the region's sacred temples and ashrams often leave the vegetation trampled, its pristine wilderness littered and sometimes even sees forest fires caused by careless picnickers.
In the past, this vigil has reduced the numerous forest fires that occur on this single day, as well as brought down number of people venturing inside the forest areas. In a heartwarming initiative, eco-friendly NGOs urge individuals to give this auspicious day to the wild, inviting them to offer either half, or their whole day to the preservation of these sacred forests. In adequate numbers, patrols can be set up in strategic places to adequately manage the park, which provides habitat for a stunning 59 species of mammals, 52 species of reptiles, 299 species of birds and numerous insect and butterfly species throughout the year.Â
