Walk on the wild side of Goa

Praveena Sharma

BEYOND BEACHES 

When you’re done with Goa’s beaches and want to look beyond, remember that under its thick cover lurks mystically beautiful wildlife. It’ll leave you awestruck with its splendorous vision.  

Goa | forest | hinterland | rocks | Photo: Viresh Parsekar

WILD ENCOUTERS 

There are enough places where you can spot a leopard, a deer, a tiger, a wild boar, a bison, a sloth bear, a porcupine, a Russell’s viper and more. They’ll charm you if you let them be.

Goa | forest |wild animals | Photo: Canva

FOREST COVER

Over 33 percent, or 1224.38 sq km, of Goa’s total area is under government forests. Of this, around 62 percent is under Protected Areas (PAs), which are designated as wildlife sanctuaries and national parks.  

Goa | forests | water | stream | Photo: Viresh Parsekar

INTO THE WILD 

Some of Goa’s havens of wildlife and exotic creatures are: Mollem and Bhagwan Mahavir Wildlife National Parks; Mhadei, Bondla and Cotigao Wildlife Sanctuaries; Banastari Wetlands; Merces Bird Sanctuary and others. 

Goa | Wetlands | Biodiversity

BIRDING PARADISE 

If you’re into birding, your head will spin with the variety of birds in Goa. From the blue-tailed bee-eater to the red-whiskered bulbul to the purple-rumped sunbird to the Brahminy kite and more, they’ve all been spotted here.

Goa | birds | nature | wildlife | Photo: Canva

SNAKE-CHARMED 

Leave them alone, and you’ll be spellbound by these slithering creatures with mottled skin. Goa abounds with snakes, including Russell’s vipers, cobras, kraits, Whitaker’s boas, Indian rock pythons and more.   

Goa | snakes | cobras

PUT ON TREKKING SHOES

Wander off into Goa’s ‘wild’ lanes by going on a jungle safari, experiencing bioluminescence, following forest trails or getting sprayed in waterfalls. There’s enough to do once you put on your trekking shoes.   

Goa | trek | forests | lanes | Photo: Franky Gracias

CROSSING OVER 

So, the next time you’re in sultry Goa, crossover to its wild and adventurous side from the sun-sand-and-sea to discover a different way of experiencing it.   

Goa | nature | wetlands | Photo: Viresh Parsekar

NEXT: Get sun, sand and plenty of shade at these beaches in Goa

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