Nomad Saikat
Netravali Wildlife Sanctuary is one of the most important sanctuaries found in India. Who says that Goa is only about its beaches? If you have only seen that side of Goat then you have not yet explored the other side of Goa well. And for that you need to visit the Netravali Wildlife Sanctuary South Goa. Furthermore the Netravali Wildlife Sanctuary Goa is really rich in its flora and fauna. Not just that it also houses streams, waterfalls, mountains inside its premises that further elevates the landscape and richness of this sanctuary. So any time you are visiting Goa you must visit the Netravali Wildlife Sanctuary in Goa as well. Keep on reading this article because here I will mention everything that you need to know about the Netravali Wildlife Sanctuary Goa.
Netravali Wildlife Sanctuary
Where is Netravali Wildlife Sanctuary?
Verlim, Sanguem Taluka, Neturlim, Goa
Timings: Netravali Wildlife Sanctuary timings are from 8:30 am to 4:30 pm
Entry Fee: The Netravali Wildlife Sanctuary entry fee is Rs. 100 for adults and Rs. 30 for children. Extra charges for vehicles are Rs. 100 for four wheelers and Rs. 50 for two wheelers.
Netravali Wildlife Sanctuary information
Located in the Sanguem Taluka of South Eastern Goa this wildlife Sanctuary is one of the six most important sanctuaries in India. The Government of India had given the status of Wildlife Sanctuary to the Netravali Wildlife Sanctuary just to protect the Western Ghat Range. This sanctuary alone covers an area of 222 sq km. Furthermore this sanctuary is connected to the Madei Sanctuary and together they both cover a huge area of 420 sq km.
The Netravali Wildlife Sanctuary is named after the tributary of Zuari River, Netravali or Neturli. This Netravali River is also an important source of freshwater for this area. On the North of the Netravali Wildlife Sanctuary you will find the Bhagwan Mahaveer Sanctuary and on the south of the Netravali Sanctuary there is the Cotigao Wildlife Sanctuary.
Furthermore this sanctuary also houses two beautiful all season waterfalls inside its premises, the Savri and the Mainapi waterfalls. It also has a number of forest mountains which are important points of religious relevance for the local people. Many temples are also found on top of these mountains that are considered as revered shrines by the people. Netravali Wildlife Sanctuary is one of the sources of natural abundance in the area. With its abundance of greenery this spot is like a haven for travel enthusiasts. Also for trekkers this place holds a lot of importance as well. Furthermore the diversity of this sanctuary also lies in the flora and fauna that are housed here. Both herbivores as well as carnivorous animals are found here. Alongside you can also spot a variety of birds including some rare species here.
How to reach Netravali Wildlife Sanctuary
The Goa Airport is the nearest airport to reach Netravali Wildlife Sanctuary which is about 65 km away. From there you can get taxis or cabs to reach the sanctuary. If you are travelling from Panaji then you will get buses to reach the Netravali Wildlife Sanctuary. For more convenient options you can hire cabs or even get two wheelers or cars on rent to reach the sanctuary.
Best time to visit Netravali Wildlife Sanctuary
The post monsoon months from October till March are by far the most suitable time to visit this sanctuary. You should skip visiting here during the monsoon though. Furthermore the advent of rainfall may dampen the travel spirit. The winter time would be the most comfortable time to explore the whole area well. However the best time to explore the Netravali Wildlife Sanctuary is during the early hours of the day. It is when the flowers are at their blooming best along with the weather being most comfortable as well. So try to reach there early in the morning to enjoy the best of the place and its surroundings.
Flora and Fauna in Netravali Wildlife Sanctuary
The Netravali Wildlife Sanctuary is really rich in its floral and faunal population. You can spot many mammals here like Indian Bison, Four Horned Antelope, Malabar Giant Squirrel, Leopard, Black Sloth Bear and more. You can also spot a lot of birds here that include the Nilgiri Wood Pigeon, Malayan Night Heron, Great Pied Hornbill, Grey Headed Bulbul, White Bellied Blue Flycatcher, White Bellied Treepie, Rufous Babbler and more. Some rare butterfly species like Malabar Tree Nymph, Malabar Banded Swallowtail, Southern Birdwing, Black Rajah, Blue Nawab and Redspot Duke are spotted here. Because of the presence of plenty of perennial streams in the sanctuary it is so rich in its population of fauna.
Furthermore the floral category found here are mostly of dry deciduous type. This sanctuary is an evergreen and semi evergreen forest with extended lush greenery everywhere. From different types of trees, to medicinal herbs to small shrubs and rare plant species, you will find varied types of flora here. Because of the temperature and location and the presence of water bodies the floral content is rich here. Furthermore a lot of plant species here are interdependent on each other for their survival as well.
Major tourist attractions near Netravali Wildlife Sanctuary
Hiking and exploring Waterfalls
This area is exclusively known for breathtaking waterfalls like the Savri waterfall and Mainapi Waterfall. These are known as hidden waterfalls in the area. However you can only reach near the waterfall after a hike as they are located in the reserved forest area. Furthermore additional permission is also required to enter the premises as well. If walking is your favorite activity amidst nature then you will enjoy the journey to these waterfalls. It would take around 45 minutes before you can reach the spot to witness the breathtaking beauties.
Bubbling Lake
The Bubbling lake or as it is popularly known as the Budbud Tali, is one of the popular tourist spots here. This Lake is considered as a holy water body located in front of the Gopinath Krishna Temple which is almost a 500 year old temple. There are bubbles that are seen on the surface of the lake and hence the water body is called the bubbling lake. It is believed that whenever someone claps near the lake the bubbles are seen in higher intensity because the water responds to the sound of the clapping. However there is no scientific justification about whether this actually happens. It is said that these bubbles are the result of carbon or sulfur dioxide gas in the water. There is no entry fee required to visit here. The place is open from 8 am to 6 pm.
Tanshikar Spice Farm
This is a spice farm located on the tropical rainforest of Western Ghat. Spread across an area of 25 acres a variety of homegrown spices are found here. It is a guided space that can enlighten you on information about various spices and also on topics like how natural farming is done and how the pesticides are used to keep the bees away etc. Furthermore one of the interesting experiences here will be to visit the spot and also to have authentic local Goan cuisine served in earthen pots. The entry fee is Rs. 350 for just a tour in the Spice Farm, Rs. 600 for a tour along with the lunch. This spice farm is open from 6 am to 6 pm.
Cotigao Wildlife Sanctuary
Located at around 40 km away from the Netravali Wildlife Sanctuary you must also visit the Cotigao Wildlife Sanctuary. This Sanctuary outlines Karnataka and is a part of the Western Ghats. Furthermore one of the most important natural reserves in South Goa, this sanctuary houses flora and fauna. Also the tree top watchtower in the Cotigao Sanctuary is one of the major tourist attractions which provides a gorgeous view of the whole area.
Udaan Dongor
This is a perfect spot for the trekkers located only 25 km away from the Netravali Wildlife Sanctuary. For adventure lovers to indulge in trekking combined with the scenic beauty of nature would be a perfect activity for sure. Also for photography lovers and photographers this scenic location would look like a muse for clicking 1000s of photographs.
Panaji State Central Library
For book lovers this can be one of the must visit spots. Located only 45 minutes away from the sanctuary this library has a huge collection of books. Furthermore the library is fully air conditioned and the ambience here is extremely pure and blissful. Not just books, they also have a rare collection of old CDs and magazines here.
Strawberry Farm
This is a strawberry Farm in Varlem that a lot of tourists visit. Located only 9 km away from the forest check post office, this farm spreads across a 2000 sq ft area. This farm is a Goa government’s project where strawberries are grown. Furthermore it is one of the few places in India where you can find fresh strawberries. It will be an amazing sight to see so many strawberries here. The entry fee here is Rs. 20 and you can get boxes of strawberries from here at Rs. 80. It is open from 8 am to 6 pm.
Seasonal Waterfall Bamanbudo and Bhupar
These are two seasonal waterfalls that you will find on your way to the Netravali Wildlife Sanctuary. The two waterfalls are located at a distance of 1 km from each other. Both the waterfalls are scenic beauty. The Bamanbudo waterfall doesn’t end up in a pond while the Bhupar Waterfall ends in a pond. Furthermore this pond has many fishes in it and you can actually dip your feet into this water and enjoy.
Salaulim Dam
This is yet another area that the Goa government maintains just like the Netravali Wildlife Sanctuary. You will have to enter the dam through a recreation park and botanical garden. The unique shape of the dam is what attracts the visitors here. Furthermore it is one of the scenic spots that you can visit in Goa. It will be best to visit here during monsoon or post monsoon. Entry fee to this place is Rs. 40 for adults, Rs. 20 for children above 5 years, and below 5 years entry is free. This place is open from 7 am to 6:30 pm.
Wrapping up!
Places like Netravali Wildlife Sanctuary give you a chance to get engrossed in nature. You can be close to nature and enjoy the beauty that it offers as well. So now that you have all the information about the Netravali Wildlife Sanctuary Goa do let me know when you are planning a visit there. You simply cannot miss out on visiting this amazing place in Goa. So make sure you are including the Netravali Wildlife Sanctuary in your itinerary and enjoy being amidst nature.
