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. |