Dr Salim Ali Bird Sanctuary : Goa - Bird Watchers Paradise
Last month I visited Goa with my family. For three days I spent lot of time with my kids on the beautiful beaches. After visiting many churches & other interesting places my kids wanted to watch the Dr Salim Ali Bird Sanctuary.
I always love to visit bird sanctuaries. I enjoy watching rare & colourful birds in their natural habitats. I have visited Ranganathittu bird sanctuary at Srirangapdiganta_b several times. Though I visit Goa frequently this was my first visit to Dr Salim Ali Bird Sanctuary.
The Bird Sanctuary named after a renowned ornithologist Dr Salim Ali is a located on western tip of the Island of Chorao along the River Mandovi. This 1.8 Sq Km bird sanctuary is the abode of a myriad of birds such as kingfishers, parrots, cormorants, eagles, herons etc. Different months of the year bring different migratory bird species.
According to the authorized information there are around 400 species of birds, local and migratory. Apart from the Bird Kingdom, the Sanctuary also plays host to animals like crocodiles, jackals, Indian Rock Python and otters.
There are many species of birds in the sanctuary & one can happily go to this place with entire family and have a wonderful experience. Please excuse me for my ignorance, I don’t know the names of most of these birds, all I can say is bird of all sizes, shapes, color and region is found here. There’s a watch-tower inside the Bird Sanctuary serves the cause of enthusiastic bird-watchers. One can enjoy & learn lot about nature & the beauties surrounding it.
The flora of the sanctuary largely consists of mangrove shrubbery. The mangrove ecology is considered to be the best for breeding grounds for several birds, fish and insects to multiply. The bird sanctuary is not only beautiful but also educational and acts as an eye opener to a lot of people indifferent towards the nature.
It is lovely place where one can safely go to and forget all the hustles & bustle of city life. A lot of people like me come there to find their time of peace with the nature and then return back to their hectic schedules. For the bird lovers who are planning a trip to Goa, this is a must see place.
Some Do’s and Don’ts:
Better to reach the park early so that one can catch the birds when they are the most active.
Do carry your own water & food,
It’s very important to get the right stuff to go bird watching like bring Camera, Binoculars, suitable Boots etc.
Do not jog or run in the sanctuary, as it disturbs the birds and birders.
Do not litter.
Do not feed the wildlife.
Location: Located on the Chorao Island, around 8 kms from Panaji.
How to Reach: Dabolim is the closest airport, around 30 kms from Panaji. One can also reach there by boat from Panaji to the Ribandar ferry wharf and then take a ferry across the Mondovi River to the island of Chorao. The boat rides provides keen birders the opportunity to view a variety of both land and sea birds.
Entry Fee: Reasonably priced @ Rs. 50
Best Time To Visit: This sanctuary can be visited any time of the year but November to February are better, One has to take the permission of the Chief, Wild Life Warden, Forest Department, Junta House, Panaji-Goa to visit the sanctuary.
God loved the birds and invented trees. Man loved the birds and invented cages. (Jacques Deval)