With a combined area of 240 km2 , Bhagwan Mahavir Wildlife Sanctuary and Bhagwan Mahavir National Park, form the largest contiguous wildlife-protected area in Goa. The Protected area is located in Sanguem and Dharbandora Taluka.
Flora and Fauna
The forest is a predominantly semi-evergreen and evergreen type and is abode by a rich diversity of flora and fauna. The notable large mammals are Tiger, Leopard, Sloth Bear, Gaur, Sambar, and Barking Deer. This sanctuary is also home to the rich diversity of birds and butterflies.
What to See?
Dudhsagar Falls -10 km from Collem, hidden away in an evergreen valley in the Western Ghats the highest and largest waterfalls of Goa, cascades down 306 mts in two segments, is a trekking paradise.
Devil’s Canyon – A formation of rock broken into criss-cross sections and underwater passages through which Dudshsagar river flows with great turbulence.
Lord Mahadev’s Temple -This 13th Century A.D. temple is the only one constructed from black basalt in Goa. It is 13 km from Mollem, situated at Tambdi Surla.
Nature Interpretation Centre – Located at Mollem within the Park Complex, It is a storehouse of information on nature, environment, and wildlife.
Ghat Road– A drive along NH 4 up to the border of Goa is full of scenic and memorable facets of the Landscape.
Sunset Point– Combine the charm and beauty, commanding an extensive panoramic view of hills and valleys. The sunset and sunshine can be seen at the same time from here on a full moon evening. A spot to have a date with nature. While you are there watch out for the sloth bear and our state animal- Gaur. Get a telescope view of the blue water of the Arabian Sea and golden beaches. Experience the thrill of negotiating the meandering 9 km track with your own four-wheeler.
Why in News
Activists and politicians from Goa have demanded that certain areas in wildlife sanctuaries of the state be notified as a tiger reserve.
- In 2017, the State government had proposed about a 500 sq km area of Mahadayi, Netravali, and Cotigao sanctuaries with some part of Bhagwan Mahaveer wildlife sanctuary to be marked as a tiger reserve.
- The recent deaths of four tigers in the Mahadayi wildlife sanctuary have brought the demand again in the scenario.
Netravali Wildlife Sanctuary
- Netravali Wildlife Sanctuary is located in Goa bounded by Cotigao wildlife sanctuary on the eastern side and Bhagwan Mahaveer wildlife sanctuary on the northern side.
- It is a predominantly moist deciduous forest with patches of semi-evergreen forest in the valleys.
- It has two important waterfalls namely, Savari and Mainapi.
- This region supports a rich diversity of flora and fauna and notable among them are Leopard, Giant Squirrel, Mouse Deer, Nilgiri Wood Pigeon, and Ceylon Frogmouth.
Cotigao Wildlife Sanctuary
- Cotigao Sanctuary is situated in Canacona Taluka, of Goa.
- It was established in 1968-69 to protect a remote and vulnerable area of forest lining the Goa- Karnataka border.
- The vegetation is mostly moist-deciduous type, interspersed with semi-evergreen and evergreen patches.
Bhagwan Mahaveer Wildlife Sanctuary
- Bhagwan Mahaveer Wildlife Sanctuary is located in the Mollem town of Goa.
- It is one of the largest wildlife sanctuaries of Goa and contains within it the Mollem National Park.
- It was formed to protect the vast biodiversity of the Western Ghat.
- Originally known as the Mollem Game Sanctuary, it was declared a wildlife sanctuary in 1969 and thence renamed the Bhagwan Mahavir Wildlife Sanctuary.
- The sanctuary is heavily forested and contains tropical evergreen forests, semi-evergreen forests, and moist deciduous forests.