Bondla Wildlife Sanctuary

Bondla Wildlife Sanctuary is located in Northeastern Goa, India. The total area of this park land is 8 square km. It is a popular destination for both tourists and school children. Known for the place to go and encounter a wide variety of animal life including: sambar deer, Indian Bison, peacocks and many species of snake. There are also Giant Malayam Squirrels.

Bondla provides sanctuary to leopards who have been injured when they ventured too close to human habitation, dancing bears and Cobras who along with their trainers need a new life as the age old tradition of dancing bears and snake charming is now illegal. The elephants and their handlers are more fotunate. The two at Bondla take turns to give visitors a ride. On their off day, they are bathed and laze around, producing Elephant Cakes.

Another surprise at Bondla, are the Hindu carvings. These were discovered when the sanctuary gardens were being constructed. They would have been hidden for protection from the Portuguese Catholic Inquisitors.

Cotigao Wildlife Sanctuary

If one wants to see multi-storeyed forests with tall trees and rare plants, where hardly any light reaches the ground, Cotigao Sanctuary is the place to go to. It touches the border of Karnataka state and in the lean season, several gaurs are known to come into Cotigao from its neighbourhood. The vegetation is mostly moist-deciduous type, interspersed with semi-evergreen and evergreen patches.

Bhagwan Mahavir Sanctuary, Molem

Bhagwan Mahavir Sanctuary, Molem: This is the largest wild life preserve with an area of 240 sq. kms. Rich in wild life, it is also a bird watchers paradise. Important geological and historical features are a part of this sanctuary The 'Devil Canyon' a beautiful geological site and the historical Tambdi Surla temple are nearby. The famous Dudhsagar falls are about an hour's journey from Molem. Tourists can avail of the cottages and dormitories built by the Dept. of Tourism.