Thick forest clad the slopes of the Western Ghats that is rich in wildlife and a paradise for bird watchers.
Bondla Wildlife Sanctuary Up in the lush foothills of the Western Ghats, Bondla is good place to see Sambhar and Wild Boar. It is smallest of the Goan Wildlife Sanctuaries.
Its area is 8-sq-kms but easiest one to reach. Situated 55-km from Panajim and 38-km from Margoa, the sanctuary includes a Botanical Garden, fenced Deer Park and Zoo, which is better than most, with reasonably spacious enclosures.
Cotigao Wildlife Sanctuary The Cotigao Wildlife Sanctuary, 10-km southeast of Chaudi, was established in 1969 to protect a remote and vulnerable area of forest lining the Goa- Karnataka border.
Encompassing 86-sq-kms of mixed deciduous woodland, the reserve is certain to inspire tree lovers, but less likely to yield many wildlife sightings:
On the western tip to the island of Chorao along River Mandovi, mangrove swamps cover this bird-watchers' paradise aptly named after India's best-known ornithologist.
Open throughout the year, the sanctuary can be visited with the permission of the Chief Wild Life Warden, Forest Department, Junta House, Panaji.
