Tourism
of Goa
Wildlife
in Goa
Salim
Ali Bird SanctuaryOn
the western tip of the island of Chorao along River Mandovi, mangrove swamps
cover this bird-watchers' paradise aptly named after India's best-known
ornithologist.
This is Goa's only bird sanctuary, 1.8 Sq Km in
area. A variety of local and migratory birds can be found on this island.
From Panaji , one needs to take a bus or a cab to the Ribandar
ferry wharf and then take a ferry across the Mandovi river to the island of
Chorao. The sanctuary is within walking distance from the ferry wharf at
Chorao.
Open throughout the year, the sanctuary can be visited with
the permission of the Chief Wild Life Warden, Forest Department, Junta
House, Panaji. Apart from a rich variety of coastal birds, one may spot
flying foxes, jackals and crocodiles.
The area consists of
mangrove vegetation. Mangrove ecosystems are among the most productive ones
known to us. They provide refuge and breeding grounds for several varieties
of fish and insects which fall at the base of the food-chain.
The "Mangrove
Scrub" type of vegetation that is found here occurs in small isolated
areas along the banks of Mandovi and Mapusa rivers and also along the
Cumbarjua canal.
This Sanctuary is criss-crossed with a network of
water channels. So movement is restricted to the duration of high tide if
one wants to go by boats. However for canoes, the creeks are accessible even
during low tides.
A watch-tower has been erected in the Sanctuary
for better viewing of birds. Apart from the several resident birds, the
Sanctuary also has some winter visitors like coots and pintails.
The
Wildlife Division of the Forest Department proposes to start conducted tours
through the water channels. It is envisaged that a group of 8-9 persons
could be taken at one time.
However, the exact modalities are yet
to be worked out. Resource material and useful information could be acquired
at the Range Forest Office at Campal, in Panaji.
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