Coronavirus Outbreak: SNGP Shuts For Visitors

In a bid to reduce public gatherings to prevent the Coronavirus outbreak, Sanjay Gandhi National Park (SNGP) authorities have stated that the National Park will be shut for visitors from today i.e. March 17. The biggest tourist attraction in the Sanjay Gandhi National Park- Kanheri caves will also be shut. Moreover,  Tungareshwar Wildlife Sanctuary in Vasai,  Thane Creek Flamingo Sanctuary, Karnala Bird Sanctuary near Panvel and Tansa Wildlife Sanctuary in Shahpur will also be closed till March 31. 

Over 300 people visit  Sanjay Gandhi National Park everyday and the number increases during weekends. With its closure, the National Park may lose Rs. 3.5 lakhs of revenue per day. The State Government had also issued a notice that public places like swimming pools, theatre, parks, malls, religious places, gym etc. along with institutes have been shut down. 

In the view of the coronavirus outbreak, prominent places like Ajanta, Ellora and Elephanta caves have been closed. Even religious places such as Siddhivinayak Temple, Prabhadevi temple along with the famous Tuljabhavani temple in Osmanabad district have been shut till further notice. Even, Juhu beach was shut to avoid people from crowding there. However, Nariman Point and Chowpatty in Charni Road were open. The Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) chief Praveen Pardeshi has advised to keep public parks open. 

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Chief Conservator of Forest and Park Director Anwar Ahmed stated that as the public places are shut down, the park authorities felt that more people will visit Sanjay Gandhi National Park and therefore they decided to shut it down. 

Maharashtra has the highest number of cases in India at 39. Therefore, the State Government and civic authorities are taking up several precautionary measures. State Health Minister Rajesh Tope stated that along with Kasturba Hospital another laboratory will be set up at KEM hospital in the next two days and new laboratories will also come up at JJ Hospital.