The vast green lands of Goa are home to numerous species of animals, birds, trees, and plants – both abundant and endangered. These sanctuaries are rich in rare and exotic varieties of organisms that you’ve only encountered in books to date. 

A savannah, a waterfall, a valley, a forest, a mountain – let’s not keep you guessing and head straight to the topic of ‘List of Wildlife Sanctuaries of Goa’. Here, we are about to discover famous wildlife sanctuary/sanctuaries in Goa that are truly worth visiting once. Let’s take a step closer to nature and begin our magical journey. 

Various sanctuaries in Goa 

1. Netravali wildlife sanctuary – This is the newest addition to the wildlife sanctuaries in Goa. It is situated in the Sanguem region of Eastern Goa. It covers up to 211 sq. km of the Western Ghats. This sanctuary inherits its name from ‘Netravali’ which is a tributary of the Zuari river. The Zuari River is an extremely important source of freshwater in the region. Some of the wild animals here are – Panthers, Cobras, Giant Squirrels, and the rarely found Malabar Tree Toad. It is also home to various birds as well as butterflies such as the Nilgiri Wood pigeon, Grey Headed Bulbul, and Black Rajah. The most suitable time to visit this sanctuary is between October to March.
2. Salim Ali Bird sanctuary – This sanctuary lies at the western tip of Chorao Island along the Mandovi river in Goa. It is considered a dreamland for bird watchers and is one of the top wildlife sanctuaries in Goa. Various exotic birds can be spotted inside the sanctuary. Some of the birds which can be seen here are – Kites, Myna, Sandpiper, Curlews, Redshank, and Hoopoe. There are boat rides also available inside the sanctuary which makes it an ideal place to go with friends and family. You can visit here anytime of the year.
3. Bondla wildlife sanctuary – This is the smallest wildlife sanctuary in Goa. It lies in the Ponda region, in the foothills of the Western Ghats. Some of the wildlife species here are – Sambar Deer, Indian Bison, Indian Peafowl, Malabar Giant Squirrel, etc. It has environmentally-friendly cottages for nature lovers so that they can enjoy the beautiful wildlife at close quarters. Inside this beautiful sanctuary, a zoological park, a botanical garden, a rose garden, and a deer park can be enjoyed. The most suitable time to visit here would be from December to January.
4. Bhagwan Mahavir wildlife sanctuary – It is the largest and the first wildlife sanctuary in Goa. It encompasses 240 sq km in the Western Ghats, in the Sanguem region. Here you can find mammals such as Barking Deer, Bengal Tiger, Leopard, Black Panther, Wild Boar, etc. There are more than 120 species of birds, which makes it an ideal tourism spot for bird admirers as well. Some of the famous rare birds found here are – Fairy Bluebird, Wagtails, Drongo, Great Indian Hornbill, Three-Toed Kingfisher, and Golden Oriole. The most suitable time to visit here is between November to March. 
5. Cotigao wildlife sanctuary – This sanctuary is located in the Canacona Taluka, South Goa. The Cotigao sanctuary is famous for its delicate ecosystem. This is a paradise for tree lovers and botany students because of the diverse trees and shrubs. It is fully covered with deciduous trees. Some of the wildlife species living there are – White-bellied Woodpecker, Flying Lizard, and Gloden Back Gliding Snake. There is also a centre called NIC which organises treks and walks through the lavish greenery. The most suitable time to visit here is from October to March.
6. Mhadei wildlife sanctuary – It is located in the Sattari Taluka in Goa. It is a sanctuary which has been advocated as one of the Project Tiger Reserves since it is the home of the Royal Bengal Tigers. Mhadei sanctuary is famous for its high level of biodiversity (both in terms of flora and fauna). It is counted as one of the 25 mega diversity hotspots in the world. Some of the rare species which you can find here include – Barking Deer, Sloth bears, Asian Palm Civet, and Indian Pangolin. This sanctuary has been awarded the title of an International Bird Area. The most suitable time to visit here is from October to March.
7. Molem wildlife sanctuary – The Molem wildlife sanctuary is the core area of Bhagwan Mahaveer wildlife sanctuary. Some of the wild species which can be seen here are Black Panther, Bengal Tiger, Barking Deer, Leopard, Bonnet Macaque, etc. These all can be found easily while roaming about this wildlife sanctuary. This place is also a paradise for bird lovers since there are about 130 different species of birds residing in this sanctuary. The biggest attraction of Molem is the jungle safari. Apart from this, there are trekking trails as well as bird watching. All these make Molem the ideal sanctuary for thrill-seekers.

Conclusion 

Goa is not just a state which is all about parties. It is also a paradise for nature lovers. It is one of the most beautiful states in the western part of the country. The article have discussed seven of the important National Parks and Wildlife Sanctuaries in Goa.