Bhagwan Mahavir Sanctuary

Bhagwan Mahavir Sanctuary previously known as Mollem Game Sanctuary is positioned on the eastern border of the state, in close proximity with the village of Mollem at the base of the Western Ghats. It is about 60 km distant from the state capital, Panaji. This sanctuary is the biggest of Goa’s tally of four protected wildlife zones. Covering an area of about 240 sq kms, the core zone of the sanctuary consisting of an area of 107 sq. km. was under notification as a National Park in the year 1978 acknowledged as Mollem National Park.

Flora
The faultless vegetation in the sanctuary comprises of evergreen Tropical forest, Semi evergreen and humid deciduous forest. The evergreen types of forests are largely seen on elevated altitudes and all along the banks of the river.

Fauna
The fauna consista of herds of Bos Gaurus, Monkeys, Leopard, Elephant, Sloth bear, Flying squirrel, Porcupine, Malayan Giant squirrel, Civet cat, fowl, Tigers and some Black panthers.

The park is renowned for King Cobras and there are also presences of other snakes like python, Viper, Krait, etc. Almost 200 species of birds are the duels in the sanctuary of which the superior distinguished are Indian Black Woodpecker, Malabar Pied Hornbill, Paradise Fly Catcher, Barbets, Fairy Blue, Emerald Dove, Drongo, Wag tails, Great Indian Horn Bill, Kingfishers, Shrikes, and Grey Jungle Fowl and many others.

A Nature Interpretation centre is located at Mollem which is highly informative on the plant life and the general bio-data of the forest. In addition to flora and fauna there are several areas of tourist importance in the sanctuary.

The striking Dudhsagar Falls, which is the highest waterfall in Goa is located in the south east corner of this sanctuary. It originates from Karnataka and the water freefall from a great height of almost 200 meter. This is a favorite tourist spot both for Indian as well as foreigners from all parts of globe. The falls are effortlessly and easily reached from Mollem by road passing through the area of forest and nearly an hour passage from Colem by train. The Devil Canyon popularly known as Devcharacho kond is a gorgeous geological formation of rock and the river Khandepar that cuts across the zone. During the 13th century, a Shiva Temple named Tambdi Surla, put up by the Kadamba emperor is nearly 13 kms away from Mollem and about 45km from Ponda.

Tourists can also get pleasure from the sunset view from Sun Set Point in the Bhagwan Mahavir Sanctuary. One can reach by park by vehicles driving the length of a zigzag road engraved from the mountain.

The entry permit should be obtained from the Range Forest Officer, Bhagwan Mahaveer Sanctuary, Mollem, Goa. Ph: 91-832-2612211. Entry Fee for Adult: Rs 20 , Children: Rs 5. Extra charges for camera and vehicle are to be paid as per demand.

Jeeps are available to venture into the forest. Get in touch with Forest range officer for the same. The most excellent time to visit the sanctuary is either in the early hours of the morning or late in the evening.

How to Reach

Road:The National Highway, NH-4A bifurcate the Sanctuary in two parts. Mollem National Park lies exclusively to one side of the road. Regular buses of the Kadamba Transport Corporation carry out from Kadama bus station, Panaji (60km) the capital of Goa.

Air: The Dabolim Airport (80km) in Panaji is the adjacent airport. Indian Airlines, Jet Airways and Sahara Airlines fly into Panjim a number of times every day from Bangalore, Bombay and New Delhi.

Rail: Nearest Railhead is Colem (5km). The Mormugao - Londa railway line passes all the way through this area.

Manas Tiger Reserve and National Park- The World Heritage

Manas positioned in Kamrup-Golapara district, on the foothills of the Himalayas south east of Manas River all along the Assam- Bhutan border. The gorgeous park previously known as North Kamrup is stretched over a region of 391 sq km and was affirmed a sanctuary on December 01, 1928.

It was recognized as the core of the Manas Tiger Reserve commencing April 1973 and became eminent to the status of a National Park category on September 7, 1990. It was positioned to the status of World Heritage Site in 1985 for its exceptional possessions of endangered species. The park has it’s extend far beyond the national boundary to Bhutan where it is identified as the Royal Manas Park.

Manas is home to 20 of the a good number endangered species of animals that includes the rare golden langur, hispid hare, pygmy hog, red pandas etc. The foremost emphasize of the park is the Giant hornbill, two subspecies of which, the pied and grey varieties originate here.

The park is affluent in mammals and birds, that includes elephants, tiger, panther, leopard, gaur, clouded leopard, wild-buffalo, great one horned rhinoceros, rare golden langur, civet cat, capped-langur, squirrel, sloth beat, sambar, swamp deer, hog deer, otter, monitor lizard, gharial, python, great hornbill, florican cormorants, ergets and many other species of migratory and predatory birds. The chief difficulty in the park is poaching of rhinos.

The forests at this juncture are tropical moist deciduous nature. They are interspersed with swamps. The wetlands are indispensable for the continued existence of the fast becoming extinct hispid hare. The Vegetation varies from Khairsissoo-bhabhar grass community to semi evergreens. There are intermediary stages of succession deciduous forests, Sal forests and swampy reed lands. The simul, khoir, udal, sida, bohera and kanchan are the widespread trees inside and in the region of the park.
Rides on boats, jeeps and elephants are available here. Elephant ride is the most excellent to observe the animals from close up range relatively than the boat rides. Nearly 3 hour journey on elephant ride commences from Mothanguri. All along the Manas River tourists can spot countless water birds like mergansers, brahminy ducks, an assortment of egrets etc and otters can be frequently sighted in the river.

How to Reach

Air : The adjacent airport is Borjhar, Guwahati which is situated, 5-km out of town, and can be reached by rickshaw, auto rickshaw or airline buses. Manas Park is 176 kms from Guwahati.

Rail : The nearest railhead is situated at Barpeta road

Road : Manas is well linked by network of roads which connect the place with other cities and towns in the state. There are usual bus services operated by state transport as well as the private operators. One can also hire taxis to visit the park from Guwahati.