 Dr Salim Ali Bird Sanctuary in Goa is named after the most famous Indian ornithologist Dr Salim Ali. This is the only bird sanctuary in Goa and stretches for about 1.8 sq km. The place is not only home to birds that live in India, but migratory birds as well that travel for thousands of kilometers from the arctic every year. The sanctuary is a small island. You can catch a bus or take a cab to Ribandar ferry. Cross the Mandovi river and reach the island of Chorao. The gate of the sanctuary is only walking distance away from the ferry.
The sanctuary is open throughout the year. Tourists will, however, have to take the permission of the Chief Wildlife Warden of Goa stationed at Panaji to visit the forest. Mangrove scrubs make for the vegetation of the area. The sanctuary is criss-crossed with a network or small streams. This effectively means that during the monsoon large areas of the sanctuaries become highly inaccessible. At that time visitors prefer to journey on boat and canoes as these beats can sail even in shallow water.
There is a watch tower for viewing birds and if you want to visit the place in winter, you surely will see some rare species. Wildlife Division of the Forest Department and the Department of Tourism are exploring the possibilities of starting conducted tours on boat deep inside the sanctuary. If the plan indeed sees the light of the day, then it will surely increase the enthusiasm of the bird watchers to visit Dr. Salim Ali Bird Sanctuary. |
