One of the most biodiverse regions in India, Goa is home to a wide variety of flora and fauna. Varying altitudes, weather conditions and soil types mean there is diversity in wildlife and trees. So, in Goa, there are mangrove trees growing on the banks of the many rivers in the state and then there are open scrub jungles, sub-tropical hill forests, etc.
Apart from the biodiversity seen in plants and trees, a plethora of different species of wildlife also exist in Goa. These include Indian giant squirrels, sloth bears, mongoose, slender loris and more. Goa also has more than 400 species of birds and is a paradise for any nature lover.
To protect wildlife and forests from human activity and prevent its degradation and destruction, several wildlife sanctuaries and national parks have been established in the state that are not just a safe haven for these species of flora and fauna but also popular tourist destinations.
A bird sanctuary on an island
At a short distance from the state capital Panjim lies Chorao island that houses Goa’s only bird sanctuary – Dr Salim Ali Bird Sanctuary. Reachable through a ferry ride that plies regularly between Ribandar (near Panjim) and Chorao, this paradise for bird lovers is a must see destination.
The best time to visit Dr Salim Ali Bird Sanctuary is during the winters as that time one can see not just the birds native to the zone but a variety of migratory birds that have flown from far and wide for warmer land.
The sanctuary is spread across an area of 1.8 sq km and it is one of the smallest wildlife sanctuaries in Goa. It’s been named after renowned ornithologist Dr. Salim Ali.
It’s because of the sheer landscape of the zone that Goa is so rich in biodiversity. Mangroves that grow in abundance at the periphery of the many islands especially Chorao provide home to a wide variety of bird species such as pintails, blue-winged teals, etc.
In Goa, more than 450 species of birds or avifauna can be found. These include Oriental Darter, Purple Swamphen, Striated Heron, Crested Serpent Eagle, the Shikra and the Black-winged Stilt, etc. Rare bird species such as Long-billed Vulture, Darter, Great Pied Hornbill and Indian Skimmer are also found in Goa.
Dr Salim Ali Bird Sanctuary at Chorao offers a great opportunity to spot avian fauna and see birdlife. A boat ride will take you around Chorao Island, on the meandering tributaries, where one can see several bird species in their natural habitat. The ride goes up to a watch tower where one can enjoy a great, seamless view of the bird sanctuary.
Apart from birds, one can also spot jackals and crocodiles. Mangrove Scrub form an ideal ecosystem for the breeding and shelter of a variety of fish and insects.
Discovering wildlife
Goa offers many avenues for birdwatching. There are several birdwatching trails organised in areas rich in avian species. Presently, there are six conservation areas in Goa where one can explore birdlife including Dr Salim Ali Bird Sanctuary and the Cotigao Wildlife Sanctuary in South Goa.
Cotigao Wildlife Sanctuary in Canacona Taluka in South Goa is the second largest wildlife sanctuary in Goa and the perfect place for experiencing wildlife in Goa.
Here, thick canopy of trees prevent light from reaching the ground. Located at a distance of about 60 km south of Panjim, this zone is home to monkeys, hyenas, Malabar crested eagle, Indian pangolin, etc.
There are several watchtowers scattered around the sanctuary that offer great view of the zone and the perfect place to just wait and see jungle life. The best time to visit Cotigao is between October and March.
The Mandovi – Zuari Wildlife Sanctuary at Dauna Paula is located ten kilometer from Panjim. Also known as Goa Wildlife Sanctuary, it is Goa’s most visited nature reserve and home to at least twenty varieties or species of mangrove, including a few that happen to be very rare.
The zone is rich in both flora and fauna. The diversity in flora supports wildlife diversity and one can see jackals, crocodiles, fish, snakes, etc.
Wildlife and waterfalls
Along the road going from Panaji to Belgaum is a sanctuary that covers 240 sq km area on the forest-covered inclines of the Western Ghats. Known as Bhagwan Mahavir Wildlife Sanctuary (and within it Mollem National Park), it is located in the Goan town of Mollem (Dharbandora taluka) and is the largest of Goa’s four protected wildlife areas.
The sanctuary is situated on Goa’s eastern border with Karnataka state border being 53 kms away from Panaji and 54 kms away from Margao. The sanctuary is easily accessible by both road and railway.
Several species of animals, reptiles, insects such as butterflies call this sanctuary their home including pythons, cobras, jungle cats, leopards, deer giant squirrels, etc.
The park harbours 722 species of flowering plants in wild and 128 species of endemic plants either endemic to Western Ghats, Peninsular India or India.
The wildlife sanctuary also contains several important temples dating to the Kadambas, waterfalls such as Dudhsagar Falls and Tambdi Falls and is also home to a community of nomadic buffalo herders known as the Dhangar.
Tambdi Surla Temple dedicated to Lord Shiva and built in the 12th century lies within the premises, 13 km east of Bolcornem village. Dudhsagar (Sea of Milk) Falls is a tiered waterfall on the Mandovi River at the Karnataka border and at 310 m (1,020 ft) is also Goa’s tallest waterfall. A viaduct of the South Western Railways passes through the waterfalls rendering a spectacular view.
The area was earlier called Mollem Game Sanctuary before being declared a wildlife sanctuary in 1969 and renamed as Bhagwan Mahavir Wildlife Sanctuary. The core area of the sanctuary covering 107 sq km (41 sq mi) was notified as Mollem National Park in 1978.
Tigers in the wild
The Mhadei Wildlife Sanctuary, a protected area in the Western Ghats, spreads across 208 sq km in Sattari taluka near the town of Valpoi. An area rich in biodiversity, this sanctuary is often visited by tigers that have often been spotted in the zone.
There is a proposal to make it into a ‘Project Tiger’ reserve. It happens to be one of the best places to spot tigers in Goa. The National Tiger Conservation Authority (NTCA) in its 2020 report had stated that the management of the sanctuary left “much to be desired” and without adequate strengthening of conservation efforts, the place may become a “death trap for tigers”.
Bondla Wildlife Sanctuary is located in Ponda taluka and covers a total area of eight sq km. It is a popular destination for both tourists and children. It’s the smallest of all in Goa and is home to a wide variety of fauna including Indian bison, sambar, deer, Malabar giant squirrel, Indian peafowl and many species of snakes.
Netravali Wildlife Sanctuary is located in South-Eastern Goa and covers an area of about 211 sq km on the Western Ghats. Netravali or Neturli is an important tributary of River Zuari which originates in the Netravali Wildlife Sanctuary.
The forest here consist of moist deciduous vegetation interspersed with evergreen and semi-evergreen. It lies adjacent to Dandeli-Anshi Tiger Reserve, Karnataka on the eastern side, Cotigao Wildlife Sanctuary, Goa on the southern side and Bhagwan Mahavir Sanctuary and Mollem National Park on the northern side which in turn forms a contiguous protected area along with Mhadei Wildlife Sanctuary, Goa and Bhimgad Wildlife Sanctuary, Karnataka.