Wildlife & Bird Sanctuaries

Goa Holidays India > Goa Tourism > Wildlife & Bird Sanctuaries

Goa is enriched with a fascinating diversity of wild life including birds and mammals. It is estimated that this region harbours some 48 genera of mammals, 276 genera of birds and 60 genera of reptiles. Preservation of wildlife is one of the priority concerns of the Government. The Government has set up 3 wild life sanctuaries and 1 bird sanctuary, which revel in their scenic beauty, large tracts of wilderness and varieties of fauna. The important mammalian species include deer, ox, wild boar, bear, hyena, panther, wild cat, sloth, monkey, Indian elephant, squirrel, bat and dolphin. The common birds include cormorant, coot, openbill stork, kingfisher, drongo, bulbul and weaver bird, besides dove, parrot, vulture, kite, quail and hoopoe.

BHAGVAN MAHAVIR WILDLIFE SANCTUARY - MOLEM
This sanctuary which was earlier known as Mollem Game Sanctuary was subsequently renamed as Bhagwan Mahavir Sanctuary and lies on the eastern border of Goa, along the Western Ghats. The area comprises of 240 sq. Km. of luxuriant vegetation which had been declared a sanctuary
way back in 1969 and is situated in Sanguem Taluka. The National Highway 4A divides it into two parts and also the Mormugao - Londa railway line which passes through this area.The predominant species are Terminalia, Ragerstroemia, Xylia, Dalbergia etc. Due to luxuriant growth the canopy is almost closed and the availability of grass is very limited. The evergreen type of forests are mainly seen on higher altitudes and along the river banks. Because of the perennial sources of water within the sanctuary the availability of water is not a limiting factor as far as animals are concerned.Though the settlement of rights and concessions has not still been done away with, certain private lands are still within the sanctuary and need to be acquired in due course of time.

BONDLA FOREST
Bondla is a small Sanctuary, just 8 sq. km., located among hills at the junction of three Talukas viz. Ponda Sanguem and Satari. It boasts of a Mini Zoo, Deer Safari Park, Formal Gardens, Botanic Gardens and Eco-Tourism Cottages. It is connected to Ponda as well as Molem by a good tar-road. Late evenings and nights are very pleasant. Bondla is a Paradise for Eco-Tourists. If you are lucky you may see Deers on the road itself.

Dr. SALIM ALI BIRD SANCTUARY - CHORAO, PANAJI
The area consists of mangrove vegetation. Mangrove ecosystems are among the most productive ones known to us. They provide refuge and breeding grounds for several varieties of fish and insects which fall at the base of the food-chain. The "Mangrove Scrub" type of vegetation that is found here occurs in small isolated areas along the banks of Mandovi and Mapusa rivers and also along the Cumbarjua canal. This Sanctuary is criss-crossed with a network of water channels. So movement is restricted to the duration of high tide if one wants to go by boats. However for canoes, the creeks are accessible even during low tides. A watch-tower has been erected in the Sanctuary for better viewing of birds. Apart from the several resident bieds, the Sanctuary alsohas some winter visitors like coots and pintails.

COTIGAO WILDLIFE SANCTUARY - COTIGAO
The second largest of the three wildlife sanctuaries in Goa, with an area of 105 sq. kms. is located at about 85 kms. from Panaji, 75 kms. from the Dabolim airport ad 50 kms. from Margao in Canacona Taluka in South Goa, nearly 3 kms. off the Panaji-Mangalore National Highway No. 17. It is covered with dense forest and varied wildlife, avian fauna and reptiles. The ancient Jeevottam Partagal Math, noted for Vedic studies, lies in the vicinity of the sanctuary. Plans are afoot to develop eco-tourism in this sanctuary at Hatipal Eco-Tourism Complex. There is nature interpretation centre with mini library located in the eco-tourism complex.