Goa
wildlife
Goa
provides a wide array
of flora and fauna.
It offers shelter to
a range of birds and
animals amidst its richly
vegetated jungles. Journey
far away from the hectic,
polluted city life to
a magical calm of wild
green.
So,
when you think 'wild'
in Goa is confined to
the 'rave parties' alone,
think Again! A plethora
of lush green forest
awaits you - untraversed,
untouched...
For
its size, Goa boasts
a relatively large area
devoted to national
parks and sanctuaries,
but as far as wildlife
goes, it's the birds
that are the biggest
draw.
Cotigao Wildlife Sanctuary
Travel
60 kilometres south
of Panaji to arrive
at the Cotigao Wildlife
Sanctuary, which was
established in 1969.
The second largest sanctuary
in Goa, it covers of
an area 86 square kilometres.
The Talpona River flows
through this preserve.
The
number of animals in
this sanctuary has decreased
over the years but one
still comes across sloth
bears, hyenas, wild
boars, deer and gaurs.Reptiles
and monkeys are in plentiful.
However, birds like
the white-eyed eagle,
rufous woodpecker and
the Malabar crested
eagle that are not easily
spotted in Goa, can
be found here. This
sanctuary will also
please a true tree lover.
The
park has a 25 metre
high treetop watchtower
from where one can watch
the animals visit the
waterholes around the
place. However, you
will need your own vehicle
to visit the sanctuary
as no vehicles are provided
by the forest department
to take you around.
A
day trip is good enough
to visit this sanctuary
but if you want to spend
some more time with
nature, you can always
stay at the Forest Rest
House. However, there
is only room available
at the rest house, so
the booking has to be
done well in advance.
You can also book tents
on the spot at the Nature
Interpretation Centre,
at the entrance to the
park. Although the accommodation
is taken care of, you
might want to carry
your own food and drinks,
as these facilities
are not easily available
here.
Dr.
Salim Ali Bird Sanctuary,
Chorao
The
sanctuary is located
on the island of Chorao,
just 5 km (by road and
ferry) from Panjim.
A short drive down the
Ribander Causeway will
bring you to the Ribander
Jetty on the southern
banks of the River Mandovi,
where you can take a
ferry across the sparkling
blue waters. The boat
accommodates both passengers
and cars, and takes
10 minutes to reach
the sleepy island of
Chorao.
Located
on the west of the island,
the sanctuary is just
1.8 sq km, but the mangroves
here, criss-crossed
by water canals, are
filled with birds. Unfortunately,
the Forest Department
does not yet have infrastructure
in place for boats or
guides, though you can
hire a private canoe
from the jetty. The
canoe trip lasts for
around 2 hours, so while
bottled water, tea and
soft drinks are available
at a few small shops
(locally known as gaddas),
near the jetty, it would
probably be a good idea
to carry your own packed
lunch or sandwiches.
Before
setting off for Chorao,
check the day's tides
from the forest office
in Campal or at the
sanctuary office at
Chorao Jetty, and choose
your time of departure.
Bhagwan
Mahavir Wildlife Sanctuary
The
Bhagwan Mahavir Wildlife
Sanctuary is located
at Mollem in Sanguem
Taluka, close to the
eastern border of Goa
with Karnataka. Within
the sanctuary lies the
core area, Mollem National
Park (107 sq km), and
together they cover
about 240 sq km. Dense
forests ranging from
evergreen to moist deciduous
make it the ideal habitat
for a wide variety of
wildlife like langur,
deer, sloth bear, bison,
porcupines, wild boar,
the flying lizard, leopard
cat, jungle cat, panthers
and many, many species
of snakes and birds.
Drive
in, or better still,
walk along the mud trails.
As you trek through
the lush forest, you
may see areas of flattened
vegetation with characteristic
prints in the soil indicating
that a herd of bison
has recently passed
that way. Keep your
eyes skinned to spot
the animals, taking
care not to walk through
the large intricate
webs spun amidst the
branches. Stop for a
closer look at giant
spiders. And as you
walk past wild asparagus
and different varieties
of wild orchids, you
may get to see beautiful
butterflies like the
Crimson Rose, the Chocolate
Pansy and the gorgeous
Blue Mormon.
And
for a panoramic view
of the surrounding hills
and valleys, visit Sunset
Point where you'll be
treated to the beauty
of a majestic red-and-gold
Goan sunset.
Things to See
and DoT
he
crowning glory of Mollem
is the milky Dudhsagar
Waterfall. At its majestic
best during and just
after the monsoon season,
the waterfall gushes
down from a height of
300 m, its sparkling
white waters cascading
against the rocks. The
water flows down into
Devil's Canyon, a rock
formation criss-crossed
by underwater passages.
Due to the immense turbulence
in the water, this particular
area is dangerous for
swimming.
The
18-km hiking route to
the falls is a trekker's
delight. Starting from
Collem Station, it's
an easy trek for 6 km.
The remaining, slightly
more strenuous, 12-km
route leads partly through
the sanctuary. The entire
walk takes 3 to 4 hours,
depending on your pace.
Alternatively you can
hire a jeep from Collem
Railway Station to take
you to Dudhsagar Waterfalls.
Bondla
Wildlife Sanctuary
A
visit to Bondla wildlife
sanctuary is more perfect
for a family holiday
rather than a serious
wildlife expedition.
Covering an area of
80 sq km Bondla sanctuary
is rich with flora and
fauna. However, with
its mini zoo, elephant
rides, deer park, botanical
and rose gardens the
sanctuary, it is a children's
delight as well. Goans
and tourists are present
here all year through.
In the foothills of
Western ghats, its nature
lovers' heaven. Comparatively
small but it's the only
sanctuary that has proper
accommodation facilities,
you have a choice between
cottages and dorm.
Trail
along the nature in
Bondla into a world
of unfettered beauty,
there are good chances
that you might spot
a wild boar or sambar.
There is also a Nature
exhibition centre where
you can check the exhibits. |
