Wild is a word which can be used in many contexts as far as Goa is concerned. It has many wildlife sanctuaries, which can afford wild or fun filled times for the tourists. Goa has a dense forest cover with evergreen and moist deciduous forests forming the major green covers of the place, but the rarer mangrove type of vegetation is also found in Goa.
The wildlife sanctuaries in Goa are Cotigao Wildlife Sanctuary, Bhagwan Mahavir Wildlife Sanctuary, Dr.Salim Ali Wildlife Sanctuary, Bondla Wildlife Sanctuary and the Mandovi Zuari Wildlife Sanctuary. Each of these wildlife sanctuaries supports a rich flora and fauna. Though all are wildlife sanctuaries, each has its own singularities.
The Cotigao Wildlife Sanctuary, located at the southern tip of Goa, is the second largest wildlife sanctuary of the state, spread across an area of about 86 sq km with a rich deciduous forest cover. The Talpona river flows through the centre of this sanctuary, providing water to the animals. The park has a 25mt watch tower overlooking a waterhole from where the visitors can see the animals that come to this waterhole at dawn and at dusk. The common animals seen are wild boars, monkeys and gaurs along with many species of birds and snakes.
To the north of Goa lies the smallest of the wildlife sanctuaries in Goa, named as the Bondla Wildlife Sanctuary. This has a circumference of only 8kms and is a popular picnic spot amongst local school kids. The main attraction of this sanctuary is the deer park which is home to many species of deer; the park offers an exclusive deer safari. The other animals seen here are the black faced langur, jackals, and at times even elephants. The sanctuary also has many species of birds and colourful butterflies, and the nature education centre at this sanctuary screens wildlife videos for the tourists.
The biggest wildlife sanctuary in Goa is the Bhagwan Mahavir Wildlife Sanctuary, which is spread across an area of 240sq.km, on the eastern border of Goa. This sanctuary has the richest wildlife population in Goa, which includes leopards, wild cats, Malayan giant squirrels, pythons, spotted deer and cobras. You can hire a jeep and go for a jeep safari here or watch the animals from atop the Devil's Canyon view point. The sanctuary also has the Dudhsagar Waterfalls, where the water tumbles down from a height of 200mtrs. The Tambadi Surla Temple is about 13 km from this sanctuary, offering a splendid view of the Dudhsagar Waterfalls.
The swamps of Goa, formed by the waters of the Mandovi and the Zuari river have over twenty species of mangroves. These mangroves support a large variety of fish and insects, which in turn are food for a variety of birds and animals. The Dr. Salim Ali Bird Sanctuary is located on the Chorao island near the Mandovi river, and houses over 400 different species of birds, including some migratory birds. The Dr. Salim Ali Bird Sanctuary is supported by rich mangrove ecology, thus attracting many species of birds to its verdant environs.
To know more about Wildlife Sanctuaries in Goa go to:
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Wildlife Sanctuary |
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 Bhagwan Mahavir Wildlife Sanctuary |
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Cotigao Wildlife Sanctuary |
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Bondla Wildlife Sanctuary |
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Dr Salim Ali Bird Sanctuary |
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Mandovi- Zuari Wildlife Sanctuary |
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