Wildlife Reserves

Sanctuaries

Nanda Lake (Ramsar site)

Nanda Lake lies in Quepem close to one of the tributaries of the Zuari River. This wetland supports a wide variety of migratory waterbirds and many other important plants and animals. Nanda Lake and Wetlands is a listed Ramsar site.

Socorro Plateau

Located in the north of Chorão island, near the villages of Aradi Socorro, the Socorro Plateau is a biodiversity hotspot and a popular destination for bird watching enthusiasts. 

Dr. Salim Ali Bird Sanctuary, Chorao Island

This sanctuary is named after prominent ornithologist Dr. Salim Ali. It is located on Chorão island along the Mandovi river and is spread across an area of 1.8sq.km. This area has mangrove forests and a wide variety of migratory birds can be spotted here. 

Carambolim Lake and Wetlands

Carambolim Lake is spread over an area of 70 ha, of which 40 ha is under water for most of the year. The water depth is between 1.5 m to 3 m, depending upon the season. The lake lies between the estuarine zone of the Mandovi and Zuari rivers and attracts thousands of birds. The western embankment of the lake serves as the base for the Konkan railway track and the Karmali railway station is situated here.

Bondvol Lake Wetland

Located in the village of St. Cruz, on the outskirts of Panjim city, Bondvol Lake was the main source of irrigation to St. Cruz and its surrounding areas when agriculture was the main occupation. The lake was recently declared as a wetland and is now a popular bird watching destination.

Navelim Wetland

Navelim wetland is wedged between Cudnem and Navelim villages, by the Cudnem river in the Bicholim taluka of Goa. This wetland along with Bondla and Neturli Wetlands, has been recently granted the status of IBA (Important Bird and Biodiversity Area) by BirdLife International.

Mystic Woods Butterfly Park

Mystic Woods also known as the Butterfly Conservatory of Goa is a NGO founded by Dr Jyoti and Yashodhan Heblekar who own and maintain the place and built it from scratch. The property has a butterfly garden, spice plantation and a fossil museum.  

Mhadei Wildlife Sanctuary

Mhadei Wildlife Sanctuary is located in North Goa in the Sattari taluka. The sanctuary covers a vast area of 208 sq. km in the Western Ghats. It is one of the best places to try and spot tigers in the state. The sanctuary also has hiking routes and whitewater rafting.

Bondla Wildlife Sanctuary

Although it is the smallest of all the wildlife sanctuaries in Goa with an area of 8 sq.km, Bondla Wildlife Sanctuary is a very popular destination ideal for a day trip. Located in Ponda Taluka, the sanctuary is covered in moist deciduous forestation with a few patches of evergreen vegetation.The area also includes a zoo, deer safari park, botanical gardens and Nature Interpretation Centre.

Bhagwan Mahavir Wildlife Sanctuary

Near the town of Mollem lies Bhagwan Mahavir Wildlife Sanctuary covering an area of 240 sq.km. It was declared a sanctuary on 1999, under the Wildlife (Protection) Act, 1972  is the largest protected wildlife area of Goa. 

Satpal Arboretum

Arboretum is a Latin word meaning thereby a place which has a collection of woody trees. Satpal arboretum was established inSatpal, village near Molem in the year 1974 over an area of 24.50 hectares. This arboretum has over 80 plots in which various tree species have been planted. This arboretum serves as a focal point for studies by students of Botany.

Mollem National Park

The core area of the Bhagwan Mahavir Wildlife Sanctuary spread over 107 sq km was named Mollem National Park in 1978. Thus this national park is located within the sanctuary. The famous temple of Tambdi surla of the Kadambas is situated in this park. The national park showcases a wide variety of birds, butterflies and snakes.

Curtorim Wetlands

The Goa State Biodiversity Board (GSBB) has given the status of biodiversity heritage site to Curtorim Wetlands. Because of its vast paddy fields, Curtorim village located 6 km east of Margao was once known as the ‘granary of Salcete’. The wetland habitat with its active cultivation and system of dams and bunds is an ideal habitat for birds.

Netravali Wildlife Sanctuary

Located in Sanguem Taluka, spreading over an area of 211.05 sq km, Netravali Wildlife Sanctuary is bounded by Cotigao Wildlife Sanctuary on the eastern side and on northern side by Bhagwan Mahavir Wildlife Sanctuary.The forest is predominantly moist deciduous type with patches of semi-evergreen forest in the valleys.

Cotigao Wildlife Sanctuary

Similar to most other sanctuaries of Goa, Cotigao Wildlife Sanctuary also lies on the eastern region of Goa at the Goa-Karnataka border. It is located in the Canacona Taluka of South Goa. The sanctuary was set up in 1968. 

COTIGAO Butterfly Park

Opened in 2011, this is Goa’s only state run butterfly park located within Cotigao Wildlife Sanctuary. Created under the forest department, the eco-tourism project spread across an area of around 2,000sqm, aims at making citizens aware about the role that butterflies play in the ecosystem. 

turtle Nesting Sites

Ashvem Beach

Ashwem beach in Pernem taluka in North Goa is a turtle nesting site. This beach lies further north of Morjim beach and is one among the four turtle nesting sites of Goa.

Morjim Beach

Unlike the other turtle nesting sites of Goa, this beach is also popular among tourists. In the nesting season forest officials keep an eye on the beach to protect the habitat. 

Agonda Beach

Similar to Galgibag, Agonda beach is also located in Canacona taluka in South Goa. This beach is also a turtle nesting site although it is not as secluded as Galgibag beach. The turtle nesting season starts between Oct-Dec when the turtles lay their eggs on the beach and it takes about 50-55 days for them to hatch.

Galgibag Beach

This beach is located in the deep south of Goa, on the banks of the Galgibag river. This pristine beach is a nesting grounds of the Olive Ridley turtles, a protected species. To conserve the habitat of the turtles, there are no shacks allowed on this beach and thus it is less frequented by tourists. 

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