Bhagwan Mahavir Wildlife Sanctuary

Along the north from Panaji on the road to Belgaum, is a sanctuary that covers 240-sq-kms. Thick forest clad slopes of the Western Ghats that is rich in wildlife and a paradise for bird watchers.

 The Bhagwan Mahavir Wildlife Sanctuary is located in the Goan town of Mollem. With a total area of 240 sq kms, this is the largest of Goa's four protected wildlife areas, and contains within it The Molem National Park.

The sanctuary is situated on the eastern border of Goa, with Karnataka 53 kms away from Panaji and 54 kms away from Margao. It is easily accessible by both road and rail.

Unless you stay for at least a couple of days, it is unlikely that you will catch a glimpse of many of the animals that are sheltered in the sanctuary, including Gaur, Sambar, Leopards, Spotted Deer, Slender Toris, Jungle Cats, Malayan Giant Squirrels, Pythons and Cobras.

 There are important geographical and historical features in this sanctuary. Jeeps on private arrangements go to the interior of the forest. The sanctuary is particularly known for its Leopards, Elephants, Deers & Gaur or Indian Bison.

It is more convenient to view wild animals from the Devil's Canion View Point. Bird lovers may also find their best time over here. The famous temple of Tambdisurla of the Kadambas is situated 13-km from here. In Mangalore to Margao journey on Konkan Railway one can enjoy the beauty of Dudhsagar through the windows.

Mollem has comfortable cottages and dormitories built by the Directorate of Tourism for accommodation. Police Outpost at the gateway of the sanctuary in calm and quiet surroundings is like a painting on a canvas in Mollem.

The sanctuary's setting in the foothills of the Western Ghats is wonderful and the countryside is one of the most peaceful that I come across in Goa. One hundred metres west of the entrance to the Molem Tourist Resort is the Nature Education Centre, where you can contact the Range Forest Officer, from whom you can obtain permission for vehicle access through the main park gate (which is about 3 km east along the National Highway 4A). There is also an observation platform a few kms into the park and the best time to see wildlife is in the early morning or late evening.

Harvalem (Arvalem) Waterfall

A short distance from the regional town of Bicholim, along the road from Mayem Lake, is the village of Sanquelim. This is the place where the colonial government settled its Rajput mercenaries (known as the 'Ranes') in the mid-1700s and where the same mercenaries staged their successful uprisings during the 19th century. I along with my friends went to visit this waterfall.

Of interest near Sanquelim are the Arvalem Caves, about a mile from the south-eastern end of Sanquelim. A short 10-minute drive from the caves, the Harvalem Waterfalls are worth visiting after the monsoon (in October) when they cascade noisily through the surrounding trees, but through the dry winter the flow is reduced to a trickle.

This waterfall, which cascades down from the mountains from a height of 50 metres, is not as awe-inspiring as the Dudhsagar Waterfalls spectacle, but is interesting all the same.

This waterfall is set amidst charming surroundings, with the Rudreshwar temple in its vicinity. The temple holds importance for the Hindus who believe in releasing the soul on the 12th day after death. The Rock cut caves are just situated nearby. The Government has also developed a park from which the view of the waterfall can be peacefully relished. This trip so far was an amazing trip of mine.

SAVOI PLANTATION

A trip to any Goan spice plantation is very refreshing and rejuvenating to all the senses. One can learn how local spices and herbs are grown organically. This was my trip to Savoi plantation.

On reaching the spice plantation we were guided by john to the the river way by bridge or by boat depending on the season. At the entrance of most spice farms, you will be given a warm Goan Traditional welcome and offered a refreshing herbal drink. Once inside you can at once inhale the fragrances of fresh spices such as nutmeg, cardamom, cinnamon, black and white pepper, coriander, chilies, and betel nut. Interspersed in this plantation are also fruit trees and vegetables such as cashew, custard apple, banana, citrus fruits and pineapples. we also got to see the art of how Betel Nut pluckers climb these trees, over a hundred feet above the ground and then swaying from tree to tree.

Afternoon lunch is served mostly in an open air environment on hygienic & green banana leaves which are biodegradable. The food is generally fish curry and rice with local vegetables which will spice up your appetite. The desert mostly comprises fruits. We also got an opportunity to sip the local brew called feni or urrak, which is brewed from Cashew apples or coconut. According to John, most of the Spice Plantations in Goa are located near lakes and streams, so you can do some boating and fishing too. Enjoy birding by the lakeside, or just relax by the water bodies of the plantation. Watch the cuckoos, owls, hornbills and parrots flock to the trees that dot the Spice Planation in Goa.

John encourages tourists to get back to nature and hence organizes spice plantation trips located in the hinterlands of Goa. Goa has a variety of spice plantations to offer and they are all mostly located in the heart of central Goa around the temple town of Ponda. Some spice plantations are more interior located in Bicholim district of Goa.

John advised us that a tour to any Goa spice plantation is very refreshing and rejuvenating to all the senses. One can see how local spices and herbs are grown organically in Goa. During the day, we could see the men scramble on the Betel Nut trees, over a hundred feet above the ground, swaying from tree to tree and collecting ingredients for mixes and spices. The adventurous few are offered jungle juice which is eighter the local brew called feni or urak.

 The Western Ghats in Goa are ideally suited for growing Indian spices. The rich red soil of Goa and the tropical climate are favourable for spice plantations to flourish. Nutmeg, chillies, betel nut, cashew.

While touring the Spice Plantations along with John’s Boat Tours, we came across fruit trees like custard apple, banana, citrus fruits and pineapples. According to John, most of the Spice Plantations in Goa are located near lakes and streams, so you can do some boating and fishing too. Enjoy birding by the lakeside, or just relax by the water bodies of the plantation. Watch the cuckoos, owls, hornbills and parrots flock to the trees that are present on the Spice Plantations in Goa.

PALA FARMA

 A few kilometres away from Quepem (South Goa) is the sleepy village of Tilamol and tucked away from the hustle and bustle of rural engagements, just at the foot of the Western Ghats besides a gentle canal, lies Pala Farms.

The ride to Pala Farms is in Monique Pala’s red pick-up truck that moves along its familiar bumpy, dirt track with ease except for when cattle have the right of way. And as you reach Pala Farms, a sprawling 55,000 sq mts of lush greenery, tall coconut trees and gentle stream running through it, you're struck by the sheer simple beauty of it all. But look closely and you will find that it’s much more than that. As soon as the pick-up stops, you're greeted by Monique’s five dogs and get licked, sniffed and loved by all of them. And very soon you receive the same warm welcome from the horses. Yes, horses! Monique, who has been in love with horses since she was in nursery school, has over the years managed to add to her family, thirteen majestic horses that she lovingly takes care of and trains. Talk to her and you will realise the deep bond she shares with each and every animal at her farm, be it a horse or a dog and how each one has a different personality and temperament. They’re all friendly, curious and warm, completely comfortable with the presence of strangers on their property and the way each one nuzzles you, you feel they’re trying to forge a friendship right from the word go.

 The animals move around freely all over the estate, in the house, the kitchen anywhere and everywhere they feel like, exploring, experiencing and simply loving the freedom of it all.  While riding lessons are an important part of her farm; it is not a place for joy rides as soon as you land up there. She insists that one needs to bond with the animals in the stables, wash them, walk with them, feed them and spend time with them before one can hope to ever ride them. Trust and respect need to be earned for both man and beast.

While Monique and Nazir (her husband) don’t have a formal set up for guests and tourists, the farm has a little room with an attached outdoor bathroom meant for ‘free-spirits’, a place where you can truly enjoy the beauty of the surroundings in the company of loving animals. The farm is a good option for a family outing especially kids who would like to learn about horses and horse riding. Though the typical tourist infrastructure of huts /shacks/rooms is missing here, they do plan on putting up some tents on the property some time soon. Pala Farms is a place where I personally enjoyed very much..

Visit to Spice Garden

The spice garden in Ponda is a must watch place one can visit.These garden are place which connects you to the nature. On arriving here we all were greeted warmly with a traditional aarti and a elcome drink. The guide then took us on a tour of the garden, explaining about the spices, its uses and the medicinal value of each. After the garden trip we all were served with traditional goan meal  in earthen pots and on banana leaves, the mean comprising of rice, fish, curry and locally grown vegetables. Then we were given demonstration on th art of climbing and swinging on the beetal nut plams. Then we went for a round on elephant. It wz an wonderful experience we all had on our visit to Spice Garden.

My Visit to Netravalli – Bubbling lake

This is an interesting lake in Sanguem taluka called the Netravali Bubbling lake.It has continuous bubbles emerging on the lake surface and upon clapping the intensity of the bubbles grow with live springs suddenly gushing out in full spectacle.During my visit to my cousins place to Sanguem we always make a plan to go Netravali waterfall, and that time we always visit this lake since it is on the way while going to the fall.Its used to be a wonderful scene to c bubbles coming up once we used clap  and we used to all have lots of fun on our visit to the lake.

Dr. Salim Ali Bird Sanctuary

This is on the island of Chorao, opposite Ribandar which is a couple of kilometers outside Panjim. A ferry ride from Ribandar takes you to Chorao. Visit during the migratory months when birds come from as far as Siberia. I had visited sometime during February. It is better if you go early in the morning by around 7 am or earlier  as the birds tend to go into the shade after the sun comes up. There is a boat you can hire and a very experienced guide comes along who helps in spotting and naming the birds. You also get to see some mangroves.I  was very amazed to see so many different types of species of birds and we all had lots of fun on our this visit