Location
Canacona, South Goa
Cotigao
Wildlife Sanctuary is the second largest wildlife sanctuary in Goa. It
covers an area of over 105 sq kms. The Cotigao Wildlife Sanctuary is a
dense forested area mainly covered with moist deciduous trees
interspersed evergreen patches. It is a perfect representative of the
delicate ecosystem that exists in the Western Ghats.
The Cotigao
Wildlife Sanctuary was established in 1969 with a main aim of providing
protection to a remote and vulnerable area of the forest. These
woodlands are mainly a tree lovers paradise. The best time to visit the
sanctuary is between the months of October to March when nature is at
its freshest and best.
The Cotigao Wildlife Sanctuary is also
home to many wild animals like Gaur, wild boars and even two species of
monkeys. However, animals like gazelles, sloth bears, hyenas tend shy
away from human presence and hence the sightings are poor.
There
is a Nature Interpretation Center that is run by the Forest Department
of Goa and they offer facilities like snake proof camping sites, canvas
tents, reference materials, mosquito nets etc. If you are interested
you can also approach the wardens at the center and they will guide you
to a 25 mt high tree top watch tower overlooking a waterhole from where
you can see animals that frequent there.
Getting there
Closest City: Margao, 46 kms
Closest Airport: Dabolim, 75 kms
Closest Station: Canacona, 12 kms
