Mhadei Wildlife Sanctuary

Mhadei Wildlife Sanctuary

Mhadei Wildlife Sanctuary, Goa is controlled by the Goa State Forest Department and is divided into 16 different beats. It possesses several sacred groves and wild beasts comprising amphibians, reptiles, mammals and over 225 species of birds.

Mhadei Wildlife Sanctuary is located along the Western Ghats, in North Goa District, Sattari Taluka close to Valpoi town in Goa, and is enriched with a high level of biodiversity. Due to the presence of Bengal Tigers in the sanctuary, it is on its way to be declared a tiger reserve, under the Project Tiger. The Goa State Forest Department supervises the administration of the Mhadei Wildlife Sanctuary. The sanctuary is classified into 16 beats, with foresters based in Cranzol, Charavane and Kodal in Sattari Taluka. Mhadei River, which is also referred to as the Mandovi River flows across the Mhadei Wildlife Sanctuary and finally joins the Arabian Sea. Several spectacular waterfalls are scattered throughout this sanctuary including the Virdi Falls and Vazra Sakla Waterfalls in Chorla Ghats, present on the border shared by the states of Maharashtra, Goa and Karnataka.

Flora of Mhadei Wildlife Sanctuary
There exists numerous sacred groves especially in the local villages of Sattari and they are said to safeguard the various kinds of fauna and flora of the Mhadei Wildlife Sanctuary. Tall trees of Shidam protect other creatures inside the groves while beehives are also observed on the branches of this tree. Evergreen trees of Ashoka are also seen amongst the groves which are beautified with saffron shaded flowers. Shringar, Khutyali, Sonyali and Roen Alami are the different types of edible mushrooms which grow in these sacred groves.

Mhadei Wildlife Sanctuary, North Goa District, Goa

Mhadei Wildlife Sanctuary, North Goa District, Goa

Fauna of Mhadei Wildlife Sanctuary
The region around Mhadei Wildlife Sanctuary has been proclaimed as a Global Biodiversity Hotspot by the Conservational International and consists of innumerable animals comprising mammals, reptiles, amphibians, butterflies, birds and more. Ruddy Mongoose, Indian Gaur, Sambhar Deer, Leopard, Small Indian Civet, Sloth Bear, Black Panther, Barking Deer, Asian Palm Civet, Jungle Cat, Dhole, Slender Lorris, Giant Squirrel, Wild Boar, Mouse Deer, Flying Squirrel, Indian Hare and Bonnet Macaque are the mammals noticed in this area.

The sanctuary is rich in birds and is considered an International Bird Area which protects globally threatened species, Biome-restricted species and also restricted-range species of birds. The various birds which are present in the sanctuary consists of Crimson-backed Sunbird, Nilgiri Wood-Pigeon, White-bellied Blue-Flycatcher, Grey-headed Bulbul, Rufous Babbler, Malabar Grey Hornbill and Malabar Parakeet. As many as 255 species of birds are existent here.

All the large four most poisonous snakes in the country find refuge in the Mhadei Wildlife Sanctuary including the Russell's Viper, Indian Krait, Spectacled Cobra and Saw-scaled Viper. The sanctuary also possesses several other kinds of snakes like Sri Lankan Cat Snake, Brahminy Blind Snake, Indian Rat Snake, Hump-Nosed Pit Viper, Common Sand Boa, Indian Rock Python, Common Wolf Snake, Tree Snake, Striped Keelback, Copper-headed Trinket Snake, Collared Cat Snake, Banded Racer, Common Bronzeback, Streaked Kukri Snake, Yellow-spotted Wolf Snake, Monocled Cobra, Travancore Wolf Snake, Ocellated Shield Tail, Green Pit Viper, Checkered Keelback, Black Slender Coral Snake, Common Indian Cat Snake, Common Vine Snake, Malabar Pit Viper and others.

Malabar Gliding Frog, Beddome's Leaping Frog, Endangered Marbled Ramanella, Maharashtra Bush Frog, Mhadei Caecilian, Goa Caecelian, Nadkarni's Caecilian are some of the amphibians observed here. About 257 species of butterflies are present here including Blue Tiger Butterfly, Common Indian Crow, Southern Birdwing, Common Jezebel, Blue Mormon Stripped Tiger, etc.

Recently Updated Articles in Flora & Fauna


•	Zoological Garden of Jaipur Lying inside the Ram Niwas Garden, Zoological Garden of Jaipur is an ideal dwelling of 71varieties of birds and wild animals.

•	Peacock - Indian National Bird Peacock, the National bird, is a beautiful bird, with a blue neck and a spectacular bronze-green train and is associated with many Hindu deities.

•	Sitaphal / Custard Apple Tree Sitaphal, Custard Apple tree is an important medicinal plant found to an altitude of 900 m in India.

•	Nasinda Tree Nasinda is the Hindi counterpart for Chaste Tree. Nasinda has strong antiseptic properties and is grown extensively in the tropical regions of India.

•	Jambu Tree Jambu is the name of the rose-apple tree on Mount Gandhamadana.

E-magazine

Subscribe to E-Magazine on Reference