In a major step towards sustainable tourism and community upliftment, Mumbai's Sanjay Gandhi National Park (SGNP) on Saturday, October 10, launched a fleet of 10 electric buggies (e-buggies) for internal transport, which will be driven by local tribal women, officials said.
The initiative aims to improve safety of tourists, 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 in the park. Compared to traditional transport, these buggies offer tourists a quiet, clean way to explore the park, while also causing minimal disturbance to wildlife.
In a pioneering move, tribal women from nearby communities are driving the buggies. This has not only provided them with employment but also involved the local communities in the park's conservation efforts, officials said.
Forest Minister Ganesh Naik inaugurated the service at a special function held at SGNP along with senior forest department officials and local leaders. He hailed 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, saying, “This initiative not only strengthens our commitment towards environmental protection but also provides meaningful livelihoods to our tribal communities. It is a win-win for nature and people.”
SGNP officials said this is just the beginning and more such eco-conscious measures are planned in the future.
Being one of the few national parks in the metropolis, the park receives thousands of tourists every week, making sustainable transport a vital necessity.
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