Cotigao Wildlife Sanctuary

Founded within 1968, this is the southernmost sanctuary within Goa. It was established within 1969 towards protect a remote and threatened frontier of forest lining the Goa- Karnataka border. Encompassing 86-sq-km of varied deciduous forest, the reserve is certain towards inspire tree lovers.

The Cotigao wildlife sanctuary is located within the Canacona district within south Goa. This sanctuary was established within the year 1969. It envelopes a frontier of 86 square kilometers and is the second biggest sanctuary within Goa. To reach the Catigao National park, you will have to hire a vehicle of your own and reach from a neighbouring town in south Goa. One can observe the animals from the 25 meter tall watchtower that is located alongside the Talpona River that flows across this sanctuary. The animals come to the river to quench their thirst during the mornings or in the evenings.The sanctuary also houses a Nature Interpretation Center that provides fascinating and precious information about wildlife here.

The Cotigao sanctuary of Goa has a thick cover of vegetation. There are crudely three types of plant that are found here : wet deciduous (dominant vegetation), semi-evergreen and evergreen forests. The lush and thick plant increases provides natural shelter towards a plethora of animal and bird species.The Cotigao wildlife sanctuary has lots species of desolated animals. These species involve sloth bears, deer, desolated boars, panthers, joking hyenas and Indian Bisons.

There also a large number of bird species here, the most popular ones being the Rufus Woodpecker, white-eyed eagle, Malabar crested eagle, White bellied woodpecker, etc. Apart from animals and birds, there are also a vast number of snakes that involve poisonous and non-poisonous snakes.

If one wants to see the multi-storeyed forests with tall trees and rare plants, where barely any light reaches the ground, then Cotigao is the place to go.It touches the edge of Karnataka state and within the thin season, numerous gaurs are known towards arrive into Cotigao from its neighbourhood. The plant is particularly moist-deciduous model, interspersed with semi-evergreen and evergreen patches. The sanctuary embraces three forest types: Moist Deciduous Forests - the prevalent forest type , Semi-Evergreen Forests, Evergreen Forests.One can board local transport or a taxi or a bus from Poinguinim, the closest town that is two kilometers away.