A focus on Goa's natural beauties

SAVE FORESTS, SAVE LIVELIHOODS

World Nature Conservation Day observed on July 28 stresses on the urgency to strategise ways to prevent the depletion of natural resources. This year's conservation theme is Forests and Livelihoods: Sustaining People and Planet.

GOA'S BOUNTY

Goa is blessed with exceptional natural resources, its majestic hills, lush green forests, flowing streams and rivers. Here's a list of some of these valuable beauties of Goa.

WESTERN GHATS

Goa's Western Ghats are home to some of the rarest species found on the planet. It's not only recognized as a UNESCO World Heritage Site but also one of the 36 biodiversity hotspots in the world.

CASCADING BEAUTIES

The numerous waterfalls that dot the tiny state of Goa attract many. Some of these stunning cascades include Netravali waterfall, Harvalem waterfall, Kemburli waterfall, Dudhsagar waterfall and more.

FLORA AND FAUNA

A range of wildlife dwell in Goa's forests. Bondla Wildlife Sanctuary, Cotigao Wildlife Sanctuary, Salim Ali Bird Sanctuary, Bhagwan Mahaveer Wildlife Sanctuary and Mhadei Wildlife Sanctuary are home to animals like the Indian gaur, sambar deer, wild boar, tiger and macaques.

MANGROVES

Goa is also blessed with mangrove forests. Some of the best places to spot these are along Goa's rivers in Salvador do Mundo, Chorao and Divar Islands, Cortalim and Cavelossim.

GOA IS VULNERABLE

The recent forest fires in the summer season brought to the fore the vulnerability Goa faces, even though the inferno was said to be man made.

NEXT: Discover historical gems of Harvale village through Rudreshwar parikrama