Wildlife Sanctuaries In Goa
Goa is home to one of the most biodiverse regions on the planet. The state's sanctuary network
manages to protect these local habitats and the many species that call it home. This article dives into
what some of these sanctuaries are and where they can be found.
Tourists often visit these parks at Goa to enjoy a change of environment and experience the thrill of
seeing wild animals in their natural habitat.
Most of the people who are visiting Goa make sure that they visit at least one of these parks to
explore nature at its best. It is also known as “The Seafood Capital as well as “The Paradise on
Earth”. There are wildlife sanctuaries in Goa which are established by both India and the
Government of Goa itself.
There are numerous animal sanctuaries in Goa, but we'll mention the top seven below that you
shouldn't miss visiting with your family. Some rare species of birds and animals that may be on the
point of extinction elsewhere but are still being preserved in these jungles can find refuge in these
wildlife sanctuaries. Therefore, let's look at them:
1) Netravalli Wildlife Sanctuary
One of the six crucial wildlife sanctuaries in the state is Netravali Wildlife Sanctuary. In the South-
Eastern section of Goa's Sanguem Taluka is where you'll find the Netravali Wildlife Sanctuary.
It contains one of the crucial aisles of the Western Ghats and is roughly 211 sq km in size. Netravali,
one of the most significant wildlife sanctuaries in India, is a haven for a wide range of international
flora and fauna.
A variety of flora and fauna, as well as a vast variety of species and terrain, may be found in the
Netravali Wildlife Sanctuary. The sanctuary is full of evergreen trees and is close to the well-known
Netravali Falls. It is particularly well-known for its butterflies. You can find butterflies like the Black
Rajah, Gaudy Baron, and the Malabar Tree-Nymph here. You may see animals including cobras,
panthers, big pied hornbills, slender lorises, Indian giant squirrels, and more in the Netravali Wildlife
Sanctuary. Additionally, if you're lucky, you might see the infrequently seen Malabar tree toad. The
sanctuary is one of the top destinations in Goa, especially if you love the outdoors.
2) Mhadei Wildlife Sanctuary
Mhadei Wildlife Sanctuary, a protected area with an area of 208 sq km, is 52 kilometres from Panaji,
the state capital of Goa. Due to the presence of Royal Bengal Tigers, the sanctuary is being given
consideration for being upgraded to the status of a Project Tiger Reserve. The Sanguem Taluk region
of North Goa contains Valpoi town next to the sanctuary, which is accessible from Panaji via hills,
valleys, and waterfalls. The sanctuary and the Netravali Wildlife Sanctuary are connected, and the
combined area of the two sanctuaries is 420 sq km. Few pathways that are covered in lush, green,
evergreen forests allow for trekking.
Mhadei's headgear is filled with several feathers. This region was designated as an international bird
area because of the distinctive variety of birds that live there. In addition, several Bengali tigers have
lately been seen on the grounds of the Sanctuary. It resulted in the suggestion that it be turned into
a "Project Tiger" reserve.
In addition, the Mhadei Wildlife Sanctuary is home to an astounding variety of plants and animals.
This location has a lot to offer, from the Ashoka tree's flowering flowers to the poisonous Indian
snakes.
The Black Panther, Sloth Bear, Giant Squirrel, Mouse Deer, Dhole or Asian Wild Dog, and many other
uncommon creatures can be seen here. While Sambar deer, Indian hare, Ruddy mongoose, Black-
faced langur, and other animals are simple to spot.
In addition to mammals, Mhadei is home to more than 255 different bird species. The Nilgiri wood-
pigeon, Malabar parakeet, Malabar grey hornbill, and Grey-headed Bulbul, among other unusual
birds, make the area lively.
3) Cotigao Wildlife Santuary
The Cotigao Wildlife Sanctuary, established in 1968, is 105 square kilometres in size and is located in
southern Goa, close to Canacona Taluka. The sanctuary is a haven for outdoor enthusiasts, with
eight natural pathways that span the area and range in length from 500 metres to five kilometres.
These paths can be followed, or one can sign up for a group hike organised by the forest service.
The Cotigao Sanctuary's environment resembles a tiered forest in its features. This forest's sky-
kissing tall trees grow up to 30 metres tall, generating a dense canopy that blocks sunlight from
reaching the understory and forest floor. In Cotigao, there are eight incredible nature trails that
extend from 500 metres to 5 kilometres deep into the forest and are accessible to tourists
throughout the majority of the year.
The Flying Squirrel, Indian Pangolin, Slender Loris, Flying Lizard, Golden-backed Gliding Snake, Sloth-
bear, Hump-nosed Pit Viper, and Four-horned Antelope are among the animals that can be found in
Cotigao. The Malabar Trogon, Velvet-fronted Nuthatch, Heart-spotted Woodpecker, Malabar
Crested Eagle, and speckled Piculet are some of the interesting bird species that may be found in this
region.
4) Bondla Wildlife Sanctuary
The Bondla Wildlife Refuge is Goa's smallest wildlife sanctuary and is situated in the Ponda area. It
covers a small area of only eight square kilometres. The sanctuary is located in the foothills of the
Western Ghats and is surrounded by lush vegetation and damp deciduous trees. The Bondla Wildlife
Sanctuary, the ideal habitat for over 100 species of birds, including the common grey hornbill and
the golden-backed woodpecker, also has a sizable deer park, a botanical and rose garden, and a
zoological park that are additional attractions for tourists.
A night spent in one of the forest cottages will undoubtedly be an exciting experience if you are not
time-constrained. The stunning cottages, which are covered in an aesthetic aura, are located in the
middle of the woods, where you may lose yourself in the peace of the nighttime forest. You will
enjoy a comfortable stay in the rooms because they are lovely inside and well-equipped with
contemporary conveniences. So, with its breathtaking surroundings, Bondla Wildlife Sanctuary
promises to be a trip you won't soon forget.
You can frequently see animals like bears, jungle cats, different species of deer, bison, Malabar giant
squirrels, and others as you walk around the forest's trails. If you're lucky, you might also see a
panther. Be cautious of the sanctuary's diverse collection of exotic birds. Kingfishers, woodpeckers,
and hornbills are the most often encountered species.
5) Salim Ali Bird Sanctuary
The Salim Ali Bird Sanctuary is one of Goa's smallest protected reserves, but it's also one of the most
fragile. It's situated on Chorao island along the Mandovi River. Given that the sanctuary bears the
name of prominent Indian ornithologist Dr. Salim Moizzudin Ali, it should come as no surprise that
the area is a shelter for some of the nation's rarest species.
A variety of migratory species, including kingfishers, hoopoes, sandpipers, curlews, eagles, kites,
drongos, mynas, and redshanks, can be found at the Salim Ali Bird Sanctuary. Winter is the finest
season to visit the bird sanctuary because that is when the birds come here to deposit their eggs. By
spring, these birds begin returning to their homes with their fledgling young.
Keep in mind that you might not always be able to see the Salim Ali Bird Sanctuary completely. The
sanctuary's moist marshy soil is exposed during low tide because the Mandovi is a tidal river. As a
result, even while your boat can navigate shallow waters, it might not be able to access all areas of
the reserve. Many uncommon and common bird species, including purple herons, white egrets,
eagles, kingfishers, sandpipers, woodpeckers, kites, cormorants, mynahs, drongos, and curlews, are
found in the sanctuary. The black and tiny bitterns, jack snipes, red knots, and pied avocets are
examples of rarer species. Crocodiles, fiddler crabs, jackals, flying foxes, otters, and mudskippers are
also present here.
6) Mollem Wildlife Sanctuary
The Bhagwan Mahaveer sanctuary includes the Molem Wildlife Sanctuary, which is one of the
sanctuary's focuses. This sanctuary, which is in the Sanguam region, is best explored from November
to March. One of the park's biggest draws is the jungle safari, which attracts photographers because
of the exotic animals it contains. In addition, the park features a trekking path, a temple from the
12th century, vistas, and waterfalls. The Bengal tiger, black panther, civet, and wild boar are some of
the creatures that may be seen in the sanctuary.
Around 722 different blooming plant species, including 128 indigenous plant species, can be found in
the area.
The park's diverse fauna, which includes mammals like the Bengal tiger, Malabar giant squirrel,
barking deer, leopard, bonnet macaque, common langur, black panther, mouse deer, civet, flying
squirrel, gaur, porcupine, slender Loris, pangolin, Sambhar, spotted deer, wild boar, and wild dog, is,
however, what makes it more interesting.
Along with this, the area is home to a wide variety of birds, including Ruby-throated Yellow Bulbuls,
Emerald Doves, Malabar Pied Hornbills, Fairy Bluebirds, Indian Black Woodpeckers, Racket-tailed
Drongos, Malabar Grey Hornbills, Golden Orioles, Greater Indian Hornbills, Wagtails, Grey Jungle
Fowls, Large Green Barbets, Grey-headed Myna.
The months of November through March are the ideal times to explore the Molem Wildlife
Sanctuary. It is regarded as the greatest period because there is little rain throughout these months,
making it ideal for bird watching.
Posted On : 15/12/2022
Written By : Goan Gypsy Girl
