Cotigao Wildlife Sanctuary, Goa

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Cotigao Wildlife Sanctuary, Goa’s 2nd largest sanctuary, can be reached on NH17, and is very close to Talpona beach and the town of Canacona. We had reached this sanctuary while on our epic Mumbai – Goa – Kannur – Coonoor road trip.

The dense moist deciduous and in parts evergreen forests of Cotigao Wildlife Sanctuary have many a rare plant. If you are lucky you can perhaps spot Gaur, Leopards or Wild Boars. From Wikipedia : “Animals in the sanctuary include the flying squirrel, slender loris, Indian pangolin, mouse deer, four-horned antelope, Malabar pit viper, hump-nosed pit viper, white-bellied woodpecker, Malabar trogon, velvet-fronted nuthatch, heart-spotted woodpecker, speckled piculet, Malayan bittern, draco or flying lizard, golden-back gliding snake, and Malabar tree toad”

We didn’t see any animals and very few birds, but the forest itself is gorgeous. Some of the trees grow to over 30 metres tall.

 

Cotigao Forest Main Gate
The entry of the Cotigao Wildlife Sanctuary informs visitors about protection offered to our wildlife.
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A panorama of the gorgeous forest.

Cotigao forest floor.
Dense moist deciduous and some evergreen parts cover the forests in a dense canopy. Not much sunlight reaches the ground.
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Old gnarled trees have a rich moss growth due to lack of direct sunlight and heavy humidity.
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Tiny light blue flowers in Cotigao.
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Beautiful wild flowers light up the floor of the forest next to a water hole.
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Grass, moss and fallen leaves make up the living forest floors.
Walking Trail in Cotigaon
A walking trail inside the Cotigao Wildlife Sanctuary.
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Due to the heavy rains, and dense forest canopy, moss grows quickly…
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The trails inside Cotigao.
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There is a forest rest house at Poinguinim.
Forest Cottages, Cotigao Wildlife Sanctuary
The forest cottages behind the entry gate are a great place to stay if you want to be close to the forest.

[box type=”success” width=”100%” ]Best Time For Visit: For comfort winters are the best time. Try between November and March.

Where to stay : Talpona Beach or Canacona nearby have many stay options. You could also stay at the Forest Rest House cottages which are next to the entry fee gate.

Precautions: Cotigao Wildlife Sanctuary has wild animals. As with all wild animals, these are un predictable so extra precaution is necessary.[/box]

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