Features: Magazine | Literary Review | Life | Metro Plus | Open Page | Education Plus | Book Review | Business | SciTech | Entertainment | Young World | Property Plus | Quest | Folio |

sanctuary spotlight

Bhagwan Mahavir Sanctuary

The Bhagwan Mahavir Sanctuary, also known as Mollem Game Sanctuary (1969) is Goa's largest wildlife destination.

Situated on the eastern border of the State, at the foothills of the Western Ghats, a core area of the sanctuary covering 107 sq. km. was notified as Mollem National Park in 1978.

The semi-evergreen, moist deciduous forests with the tropical evergreen forests at higher altitudes are home to herds of deer, gaur (Indian bison), monkeys, elephant and many other animals big and small, as well as 200 species of birds.

But the park is famous for its snakes, particularly the King Cobra.

Also visit: The 200m tall Dudhsagar falls, the highest in Goa, which is about an hour's train journey from Colem.

The `Devil Canyon' (Devcharacho kond), a beautiful geological rock formation with the river Khandepar cutting across the spot.

Tambdi Surla, a 13th Century Shiva temple built by Kadamba kings, about 13 km from Mollem.

Area: 240 sq.km. in North Goa district, Sanguem Taluk, Goa.

Best time to visit: October to March

Mammals: Deer, gaur, monkey, leopard, sloth bear, flying squirrel, Malayan giant squirrel, porcupine, civet, jungle fowl, tiger and panther.

Reptiles: King cobra, python, krait and viper.

Birds: Indian black woodpecker, the Malabar pied hornbill, paradise fly catcher, fairy blue bird, drongo, wag tails, barbet, great Indian hornbill, kingfisher, shrike, emerald dove and grey jungle fowl.

How to get there:

Road: Ponda (29 km) The National Highway, NH-4A almost divides the sanctuary in two.

Rail: Colem (5 km)

Air: Dabolim (80 km)

Where to stay: At the cottages and dormitories of The Directorate of Tourism.

Contact: 1. Deputyy Conservator of Forests, North Goa Division, Ponda.

2. Goa Tourism Development Corporation, Trionora Apartments, Dr Alvares Costa Road, Panaji, Ph: 0832 2226515/2224132.

Printer friendly page  
Send this article to Friends by E-Mail