GOA WILDLIFE TOURS

Bhagwan Mahavir Sanctuary, Molem

With an area of 240 square kilometres, this sanctuary is Goa's largest wildlife preserve. Located close to the Molem village at the foot of the Western Ghats, this sanctuary lies on the eastern border of the state. It is 53 kilometres away from the state capital, Panaji. The sanctuary is situated amidst nature's splendour; evergreen forests and deciduous trees encompass this preserve.

In the heart of the sanctuary is the Molem National Park. Herds of deer and gaurs (Indian bison), clusters of monkeys, Malayan giant squirrels, cobras and pythons are a common sight. And if you get lucky, you might even spot elephants and tigers. The sanctuary is also home to a few black panthers but spotting them is not an easy task. The best time to visit the sanctuary is either early in the morning or late in the evening.

The forest department has made arrangements for jeeps that take you on your excursion through the sanctuary. To avail of this facility, do contact the Range Forest Officer. But to be able to get a glimpse of the wildlife, you might have to spend a couple of days here.

  The closest accommodation available is the Tourist Complex that is run by the Goa Tourism Development Corporation. Not a very fancy place but clean and comfortable enough to spend a few days. And while you are there, do take the time out to visit the Dudhsagar waterfalls close by. The13th century Mahadev Temple at Tambdi,Surla, just 12 kilometres away, is worth visiting.

Cotigao Wildlife Sanctuary

Travel 60 kilometres south of Panaji to arrive at the Cotigao Wildlife Sanctuary, which was established in 1969. The second largest sanctuary in Goa, it covers of an area 86 square kilometres. The Talpona River flows through this preserve.

The number of animals in this sanctuary has decreased over the years but one still comes across sloth bears, hyenas, wild boars, deer and gaurs.Reptiles and monkeys are in plentiful. However, birds like the white-eyed eagle, rufous woodpecker and the Malabar crested eagle that are not easily spotted in Goa, can be found here. This sanctuary will also please a true tree lover.

The park has a 25 metre high treetop watchtower from where one can watch the animals visit the waterholes around the place. However, you will need your own vehicle to visit the sanctuary as no vehicles are provided by the forest department to take you around.

A day trip is good enough to visit this sanctuary but if you want to spend some more time with nature, you can always stay at the Forest Rest House. However, there is only room available at the rest house, so the booking has to be done well in advance. You can also book tents on the spot at the Nature Interpretation Centre, at the entrance to the park. Although the accommodation is taken care of, you might want to carry your own food and drinks, as these facilities are not easily available here.

Bondla Wildlife Sanctuary

Ten kilometres northeast of the Usgao Tisk village in north Goa lies the Bondla Wildlife Sanctuary. One of the smallest preserves in Goa, it covers an area of merely 8 square kilometres. Animals such as the black-faced langur, Indian bison, jackal and wild boar are commonly found here. Various species of deer are can also be spotted. Besides being home to animals, this preserve is also a treat for bird watchers and butterfly spotters.

This sanctuary also boasts of a tiny zoo, although nowadays the zoo is not very well maintained and number of animals too has decreased. However, elephant rides are still offered at this park. You can even go on a deer safari through the sanctuary. After having ventured out into the preserve, you can come and relax at the botanical garden within the premises of the sanctuary. A small Nature Education Centre has also been established. This Centre is generally used for viewing educational wildlife videos.

The Forest Department has set up tourist cottages at the entrance of the preserve to facilitate accommodation to those wanting to spend a night or two with nature. These cottages are ordinary but well maintained. There is also a restaurant that provides simple, tasty food. It is advisable to book the cottages in advance, especially if you are planning your visit on a weekend or public holiday. The sanctuary remains closed on Thursdays.

With a history that speaks of several rulers, it is little wonder that one finds forts in Goa. Though limited in number, these forts are full of adventure. Do pay them a visit; they have stories to tell of an ancient land.

Goa attained liberation in 1961. But certain witnesses of the past still remain. There are a few forts in Goa that have stood the test of time and have a lot to say of the years gone by…

Fort Aguada

Strategically located at the estuary of the river Mandovi, this fort was constructed in 1612 as a guard against invasions from the Dutch and the Marathas. The walls of this fort are 5 metres high and 1.3 metres wide. Little surprise then that this remains to be the only fort that was not conquered by any invaders during the 450 yearlong rule of the Portuguese empire.

The area around the fort housed a large well and a number of springs that provided fresh drinking water to the voyagers that arrived by ship. "Agua" in Portuguese means water, thus the fort derived its name "Aguada" to denote a place where water is accumulated.

An interesting feature in the precinct of the fort is a 13 metre high lighthouse. This lighthouse, built in 1864, initially used an oil lamp. It was later renovated and modernised in 1976. This lighthouse was home to a gigantic bell that was retrieved from amongst the ruins of the St. Augustus monastery at Old Goa. However, the bell has now been moved to the Our Lady of Immaculate Conception church at Panaji. Though the entire fort is no longer intact, some buildings that arestill in good shape have been converted into a prison. Interestingly, it happens to be the largest prison in Goa.

En route to the fort, one comes across the church of St. Lawrence, the saint of the sailors. The Portuguese used to build churches on the outskirts of the forts to prevent the enemy from firing at a close range.

Cabo da rama

Situated on the southern coast of Goa, this fort has been under the regime of various rulers until the Portuguese took it over from the Raja of Sonda in 1763. After taking charge of the fort, the Portuguese rebuilt it but did not put it to much use thereafter. It came under the British rule from 1797 to 1802 and then again from 1803 to 1813. After that, not much attention was paid to the fort. The remains of the fort were then used as a prison until 1955.

Though the church within the fort is still in use, there is little of the fort that remains to be seen today. However, the view from the headland is breathtaking.Legend has it that the fort has derived its name from Lord Rama who remained here for a while when he was in exile, along with his wife, Sita.

Chapora

The Portuguese had secured their rule in Goa but the threat from the Muslim and Maratha rulers persisted. To protect themselves from this risk, the Portuguese built the Chapora fort in 1617. However, unlike the Aguada fort, this fort did not remain unconquered.

In 1684, the Portuguese troops surrendered to the courageous Maratha ruler, Sambhaji. But the locals were not too pleased with this.They had a number of conflicts with the Marathas and finally in 1717, the Marathas withdrew their force. The Portuguese then took over again and rebuilt the fort. The new structure of the fort was equipped with underground tunnels that ensured a safe getaway in case of an emergency.

But this glory was not to remain. Yet again in 1739 the Marathas captured the Chapora fort. However, two years later, in 1941, the Portuguese regained the fort when the northern taluka of Pednem was handed over to them. In 1892, the Portuguese completely abandoned the fort. What remains today are only ruins but one does manage to see the heads of the escape tunnels built by the Portuguese. Though, there isn't much to see, the history lingers on.

Terekhol

Often mis-spelt as tirakol or tirakhol, Situated on the Terekhol River, this fort lies on the northern tip of Goa. Maharaja Khem Sawant Bhonsle built this fort in the 17th century. It was then rebuilt in 1764 after the Portuguese Viceroy Dom Pedro Miguel de Almeida captured it. However, Terekhol was legally incorporated into Goa only in 1788.

In 1825, Dr. Bernado Peres da Silva, a Goan governor general used the fort as a base for an armed rebellion against the Portuguese. The outcome however, was not very fruitful and the Portuguese took over the fort once again.

The remains of the fort have now been converted into a hotel, the Terekhol Fort Heritage. However, the St. Anthony's church inside the fort still remains. But it is not open to the general public except on certain occasions such as the annual feast that is usually held some time in May.