What comes to mind when we say “GOA”? I know it hurts to remember all those almost successful plans of an ultimate beach trip to Goa. So what makes Goa a wonder of the Western Ghats?
While we all love to have cocktails and party in Goa, this place has a treasure trove of natural beauty that is undiscovered and still unknown to many. The southern part of the state of Goa is less explored by the party crowd. What they miss cannot be described in words and what you experience here cannot be measured. This humble place offers a taste of the Western Ghats, one of the richest remaining habitats in the world.
The Bhagwan Mahaveer Sanctuary and Mollem National Park located in South Goa is one of the most amazing and biodiversity rich wildlife reserves in the Western Ghats. Covering an area of 240sqkm, this sanctuary constitutes Goa’s largest protected area. This sanctuary is also home to 722 species of flowering plants with 128 that are endemic to Western Ghats. The word “endemic” is used when any species of plant, animal, bird, insect is found or is native to only a certain area in the whole world.
The ecological importance of this area is immense as it is a home to 235 bird species, 219 butterfly species, 70 mammal species, 44 reptiles, 24 orchid species, 18 lichens, and so much more. Many arboreal species like Slender Loris, Indian Giant Squirrel are present in the dense canopy. Endemic birds like Malabar Pied Hornbills, Sri Lankan Frogmouth, Flame-Throated Bulbuls, Vernal Hanging Parrots and many more are sighted. Rare and endemic amphibians like Malabar Tree Toads are also found here. The splendid sighting of the Pink Tree Crab (Ghatiana splendida) which is a species of tree dwelling crabs found only in Western Ghats which was discovered as recently as 2016 can also be found here.
Once in Mollem, you will walk through tiny trails of Bondla, Tambdi Surla, and our amazing resource people will help you spot so many species of birds and reptiles and small insects and even shrubs and herbs. The beauty of standing at a place still as the nature around carries on its activity is so exciting. A thought about how we ignore so many beautiful things that are around us in our hectic life will surely cross your minds.
And the only thing you need to know about the stay and lip-smacking food is that it will make a permanent place in your heart forever. All of this makes Goa a wonder of western ghats. So, the next trip you plan to Goa, do a few changes; leave the cocktail glasses from you hands and pick your binoculars, leave you beach shorts at home and wear cool camo prints, leave those lazy slippers aside and put on your shoes and lastly go to www.midearth.in and get on the next trip to Mollem National Park.
Images by – Shantanu Samant & Vallari Mathure
