This is Goa's only bird sanctuary,
situated on the western tip
of the island of Chorao along
river Mandovi near Panaji.
It is 1.8 Sq Km in area. The
sanctuary is named after one
of India's most prominent ornithologists,
Dr. Salim Ali. Though small,
the sanctuary homes around
400 species of birds, both
local and migratory.
Open throughout the year, the
sanctuary can be visited with
the permission of the Chief
Wild Life Warden, Forest Department,
Junta House, Panaji. Apart
from a rich variety of coastal
birds, one may spot flying
foxes, jackals and crocodiles.
This Sanctuary is criss-crossed
with a network of water channels.
So movement is restricted to
the duration of high tide if
one wants to go by boats. However
for canoes, the creeks are
accessible even during low
tides. The area is covered
with dense mangrove vegetation.
Mangrove ecology is among the
most prolific ones known. They
provide shelter and basis for
procreation for a number of
varieties of fish and insects,
which form the base of the
food chain.
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