Wildlife Sanctuaries of Goa, List of Wildlife Sanctuaries of Goa, Wildlife Sanctuaries in Goa, Popular Wildlife Sanctuaries of Goa, All wildlife Sanctuaries of India, Wildlife Sanctuaries State Wise, Bhagwan Mahavir Wildlife Sanctuary, Cotigao Wildlife Sanctuary, Bondla Wildlife Sanctuary, Dr. Salim Ali Bird (Chorao) Bird Wildlife Sanctuary, Madei Wildlife Sanctuary, Netravali Wildlife Sanctuary
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Wildlife Sanctuaries of Goa
Bhagwan Mahavir Wildlife Sanctuary
Bhagwan Mahavir Wildlife Sanctuary, located in the foothills of the Western Ghats, is the largest wildlife sanctuary located in Goa. It is a sanctuary for abundant biodiversity of plant, bird and animal life. The scenic area of the land is made even more heavenly by the famous Dudhsagar Waterfall (one of the highest waterfalls in India), Tambdi Waterfall, Devil’s Canyon, Tambdi Surla Temple and some other sites of religious and historical importance. The core area of Lord Mahavir Sanctuary has been declared as Mollem National Park.
Animals: Tiger, leopard cat, panther, sambar, spotted deer, hog deer, mouse deer, barking deer, jungle cat, tody cat, lesser Indian civet, wild dog, hyena, sloth bear, jackal, bonnet macaque, slender loris, pangolin, flying squirrel, giant squirrel, flying fox, common beaver; And the state birds of Goa are Ruby-throated Yellow Bulbul, Golden Oriole, Emerald Dove, Common Gray Hornbill, Paradise Flycatcher, Great Pied Hornbill, Malabar Pied Hornbill, Malabar Trogon, Crested Serpent Eagle, Crested Honey Buzzard.
Plants: Terminalia, Lagerstroemia (crape myrtle), Xylia and Dalbergia. There are 722 species of flowers and 128 species of plants in this sanctuary.
Cotigao Wildlife Sanctuary
The sanctuary is the only extensive area of lowland monsoon forests remaining in Goa. It is the second largest and most accessible protected area in Goa, and is located on the Goa-Karnataka border in the south of Goa. Although visitors may not see many of the larger species of animals, the area’s luxuriant trees and brightly colored birds make it a popular destination. Tourists can either walk to the sanctuary or take bicycles and scooters.
Animals: slender loris, mouse deer, flying squirrel, Indian pangolin, tiger, four-horned antelope; Malabar Trogon, Heartspotted Woodpecker, Malay Night Heron, Spotted Piculet, Flying Lizard, Gliding Snake, Malabar Pit Viper, Humpnosed Pit Viper, Malabar Tree Toad.
Plants: Malabar Tamarind, Garcinia Morella, Nema attenuata, Hopia wightiana, Tetrameles nudiflora, Blackboard Tree, Flacourtia montana, Machilus macrantha, Carellia brachiata, Artocarpus lacucha.
Bondla Wildlife Sanctuary
Although it is the smallest wildlife sanctuary in Goa, Bondla Wildlife Sanctuary is extremely popular among tourists. It is conveniently located in Ponda taluka, which with its small size makes it an excellent destination for a day trip. The large population of birds in this area makes it an ideal place for bird watchers. The dense cover of the forest canopy regulates the temperature even during summer, making travel quite comfortable in otherwise adverse weather. The diversity of other life forms is also rich, even though these organisms are mostly discreet.
Animals: Tiger, leopard, gaur, sambar, giant squirrel; gray hornbill, ruby-throated bulbul, peacock; Cobra, Russell’s Viper, Python.
Plants: Terminalia crenulata, Lagerstroemia spp., Mimusops spp., Saraca indica, Bambusa arundinacea.
Dr. Salim Ali Bird (Chorao) Bird Wildlife Sanctuary
Salim Ali Bird Sanctuary, named after India’s eminent ornithologist Dr. Salim Moizuddin Ali, situated on the banks of river Mandovi, is a piece of ornithological paradise, housing more than 473 species of birds and rare animals in the lap of dense vegetation of mangroves. Are. The sanctuary is located on the inland island of Chorao in the Mandovi estuary in North Goa. It is a typical mangrove swamp forest (wetland) that is home to more than 100 species of birds, both native and migratory. The sanctuary area hosts a mangrove interpretation facility which was established under an Indo-German project in 2016.
Animals: Mudskippers, fiddler crabs, crocodiles, otters, flying foxes, jackal kingfishers, eagles, cormorants, kites, woodpeckers, sandpipers, curlews, drongos, pintail ducks.
Plants: The mangrove flora of the island is represented by 12 genera and 15 species, of which the dominant plants include Rhizophora mucronata, Avicennia marina, Sonneratia alba and Exoceraria allagocha.
Madei Wildlife Sanctuary
Located in the northern part of Goa, this relatively new sanctuary is near the village of Valpoi. Madei is named after the river that flows near this sanctuary. Apart from its wildlife, Madei is known for its many seasonal waterfalls and misty mountains. This area is incredibly charming with its picturesque natural beauty. It is a suitable place for hiking and white water rafting. There are no jeep safaris or guides available for tours inside the sanctuary. Tigers have also been seen in its plains.
Animals: Tiger, leopard, bonnet macaque, gray langur, Nilgiri wood pigeon, Malabar parrot, Malabar gray hornbill, grey-headed bulbul; Banded kukri, beddom keelback, green pit viper.
Plants: Tetramelis nudiflora, Entada scandens, Mimosa catechu, Euphorbia tirucalli, Satinwood.
Netravali Wildlife Sanctuary
This is the largest sanctuary in Goa. However, it is off the beaten track. Visitors identify the scenic beauty as one of its greatest attractions. The region is decorated with beautiful waterfalls that greatly add to its enchanting beauty. It is a mosaic of three different kind of forests that harbour within its fold an extraordinary variety of trees and plants. Additionally, the wildlife diversity in the area is breathtaking with stable populations of Leopards, Four-horned Antelope, and Gaurs to enhance the complexity of native biodiversity. Wildlife enthusiasts may further entrance themselves with a great many species of birds and rare reptiles.
Animals: Leopard, Sloth Bear, Gaur, Four-horned Antelope, Giant Squirrel; Malay Night Heron, Great Pied Hornbill, Whitebellied Blue Flycatcher, Wynaad Laughing Thrush, Whitebellied Treepie, Rufous Babbler; King Cobra; Malabar Banded Swallowtail, Malabar Banded Peacock, Blue Nawab, Black Rajah, Redspot Duke.
Plants: Malabar Tamarind, Garcinia Morella, Knema Attenuata, Hopea Wightiana, Tetrameles Nudiflora, Blackboard Tree, Flacourtia Montana, Machilus Macrantha, Carallia Brachiata, Artocarpus Lacucha.