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GoaCentral > Travel to Goa > Flora & Fauna of Goa
Goa's location by default, between the western ghats and the Arabian sea gives it a unique blend of flora and fauna. Click on for more.....
Back to TopIntroductionThe rugged western ghats make it an ideal haven for many species of birds and animals and also provide a corridor for migration. The western ghats called the Sayhadris in Goa, extend for a total of 600kms in Goa of their total length of 3701 kms. The widest belt of forests along the western ghats is in Goa and neighboring Karnataka state. The high rainfall accounts for this because the elevation of the mountain range here is lower here. The coastal areas on the other hand, provide the tropical backdrop. There are several plants and trees unique to Goa and some introduced by the Portuguese, most famous of which is the green Chilies, which today has become an essential ingredient in the Indian Curry. The tropical location of Goa is responsible for its warm humid climate and laterite and lateritic Clayey-loamy soil. The mean temperature even in the coldest month is over 20 degrees centigrade. Average rainfall is over 500mm along the western ghats and a little less elsewhere. The length of the dry season averages from 5 to 6 months. For all these reasons, the dominant vegetation is of the moist decidous type. Goa is endowed with over 1512 documented species of plants, over 275 genera of birds, over 48 genera of animals and over 60 genera of reptiles. About 10% of Goa is set aside as wildlife reserve and these include four large wildlife sanctuaries. Back to Top
Some of the common trees, plants and shrubs found in Goa are listed below
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Some of the common animals found in Goa are listed below
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The wildlife Sanctuaries of Goa are Bhagwan Mahavir Wildlife Sanctuary at Molem.It is located along the north-east border of Goa at Molem, about 60km from Panaji along the national highway NH4. It lies south of the mountainous terrain that separates Goa from its neighbor, Karnataka. It covers an area of 240 square Kms of thick forests along the western ghats and is the biggest of the three wildlife sanctuaries of Goa. Click on for more... Back to Top
Bondla Wildlife Sanctuary at Bondla.This is a wildlife sanctuary that is about 50 Kms from Panaji and 38 Kms from Margao and 20 Kms east of Ponda. It is the smaller of the three wild life sanctuaries in Goa, run by the Forest service. It is more of a jungle resort with tourist cottages available on site run by the GTDC. It covers an area of 8 square miles. The common animals that inhabit the sanctuary are the Gaur and the Sambhar deer. It has a small zoo, deer park and botanical gardens. It is a popular destination for school picnics. It is closed on Thursdays. Click on for more.... Back to Top
Cottigao Wildlife Sanctuary at CottigaoThis is the second largest of Goa's wild life sanctuaries. It was established in 1969. It has an area of 105 sqKms and is located about 60 Kms from Panaji in Canacona taluka, about 3 Kms off the Goa Mangalore highway, NH-17.It is covered with a dense forest and a varied wildlife includes deer, gazelles, monkeys and other fauna. It is best visited in October through March. Guides are available for free at the Forest Warden's office. Click on for more... Back to Top
Dr. Salim Ali Bird Sanctuary at Chorao.This is Goa's only bird sanctuary, situated on the western tip of the island of Chorao along river Mandovi near Panaji. It is 1.8 Sq Km in area. A variety of local and migratory birds can be found on this island. The sanctuary is named after one of India's most prominent ornithologists, Dr. Salim Ali. Click on for more... Back to Top |
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