The small state of Goa is home to the Bhagvan Mahavir Wildlife Sanctuary and Mollem National Park located along the north east border of the state. Jointly the two cover 240 sq km of land covered with forests varying from moist deciduous to evergreen types on the Western Ghats and its valleys. It is the biggest of the three sanctuaries of Goa. Besides flora and fauna, there are geological and historical features in this sanctuary – Dushsagar falls and Devil Canyon. Also part of the park is the Mahadeva Temple situated at Tambdi Surla is about 13 km from Mollem.
Wildlife attractions
Black panther, barking deer, Bengal tiger, Leopard, bonnet macaque, common langur, civet, flying squirrel, gaur, malabar giant squirrel, mouse deer, pangolin, porcupine, slender loris, sambar, spotted deer, wild boar and wild dog. are prominent animals but the sightings are poor. The sanctuary is home to some bird endemic to the Indian Subcontinent. Some popular birds sighted include Drongo, Emerald dove, Fairy bluebird, Golden oriole, Greater Indian hornbill, Indian black woodpecker, Malabar grey hornbill, Malabar pied hornbill, Grey-headed myna, Grey jungle fowl, Large green barbet, Paradise flycatcher, Racket-tailed drongo, Ruby-throated yellow bulbul (the Goa state bird), Shrikes, Three-toed kingfisher, Sri Lanka Frogmouth, Wagtails.
Permits: Entry fee Rs 10 per adult, Rs five per child and Rs three per student.
Accommodation: The national park can be reached from all locations and accommodations in Goa.
How to reach:
Air: Dabolim Airport
Rail: Collem and Carambolim
Road: One and half hours from Panaji (60 km)
