Goa Wildlife Sanctuaries - Bhagwan Mahavir, Bondla and Bird Sanctuary

Very few people know that 20 per cent of Goa is covered with reserve forests. This unexplored terrain lies towards the interior, nearer to the Karnataka border. You can see wildlife ranging from bison to wild boars, deer, porcupine, jackals, leopards, sloth bears, giant spiders, snakes, and much more.

Wildlife Santuaries:

Bhagwan Mahavir Sanctuary - close to the Karnataka border in Sanguem taluka has dense moist deciduous forests. It is well-known for its herds of bison and other wildlife. The Dudhsagar Falls is an added attraction here.

Bondla Wildlife Sanctuary - this is a more accessible sanctuary as it leads directly off the NH4. It is also close to the Ponda temples and so gets many visitors. Apart from the wild areas, through which there are lovely nature trails; you also have a Nature Education Centre and a mini-zoo with a variety of plants and animals.

Salim Ali Bird Sanctuary - this is an unusual destination for bird lovers. It is on the Chorao Island, Tiswadi, and you have to reach it by a delightful ferry ride that starts from the Ribander Jetty on the River Mandovi in Panjim. The island is surrounded by mangrove forest which are the habitat for a rich variety of bird life that feeds on the plankton and shrimps. You will see many migratory ducks here in winter, as well as stately eagles, kites, egrets and kingfishers, swooping inot the water for their prey.