GOA, DAMAN AND DIU: Neither Daman or Diu have any protected area although the flats and narrow channel separating Diu from the mainland have plenty of shore birds.
Goa’s protected areas are all in the foothills of the Western Ghats.
Bhagwan Mahavir N.P. and Molem Sanctuary
The sanctuary was established in 1967 and the national park in 1978. Their present areas are 98 se miles (255 se km) and 41 se miles (107 se km) respectively: the park forms the core area. The forest is mixed ‘and wet deciduous with abundant birdlime and a fair mammal population—leopard, sloth bear. chiral , etc
Best time to visit: Oct.—Mar.
Accommodation: resthouse and tourist cottages
Permission: Range Forest Office (WLI), Molem, Goa 403410.
Nearest town: Ponda (18 miles/29 km)
Air: Dabolim (50 miles/80 km)
Bondla Sanctuary
The smallest of Goa’s sanctuaries, established in 1969. Sambar, wild boar and a few leopard. Regular buses from Panaji via Ponda.
Best time to visit: Oct—Mar.
Accommodation: tourist cottages and dormitory food available
Permission: ACF, Bondla, Goa
Nearest town: Ponda (15.5 miles/25 km)
Rail: Madgaon (22 miles/36 km)
Air: Daholim (44 miles/70 km)
Cotigao Sanctuary
Established in 1968 with 40 sq miles (105 sq km) of undulating hills where the Western Ghats almost touch the coast on the Karnataka border. Sloth bear, samba, chiral, pangolin, leopard etc.
Best time to visit: Oct.—Mar.
Accommodation: resthouse
Permission: Range Forest Officer (WL), Cawacona, Goa.
Nearest town and Rail: Madgaon (30 miles/ 48 km)
Air: Dabolim (48 miles/78 km)
