Escape into the Offbeat Wilderness of Goa!

Goa, one of the most popular tourist destinations across the globe meets thousands of travellers every year. The golden sand beaches and mesmerizing skylines captivate the minds of not just lazy, sunbed lovers but also adventure enthusiasts who never get disappointed to find themselves a spot on adrenaline-filled water activities. While the daytime calls for cold beers overlooking the sun and taking a dip into the ocean, the nights here are even longer. A party hub – Goa – manages to invoke tourists in its melodies of international level stage performances. From EDM to techno to trance to jazz, name your favourite genre and you have the best of the kings playing for you!

But what lies far beyond the sea views and all night lit parties is a whole vast world waiting to be explored. The world of the wilderness!

Before I go on to tell you more about this unseen, unconventional side of Goa, let’s take a moment to understand the preparation that went into travelling here towards the end of the nationwide lockdown. It was the end of October, and Goa was one of the three Indian states to open tourism at a preliminary stage; the other two being Uttarakhand and Himachal Pradesh. Naturally, the vast constitute of the locals who were dependent on tourism for their bread and butter were drowned deep due to the lack of business opportunities in the past few months. But now, it was time to revive. Regular aircrafts connecting most cities to this coastal stretch had given tourists the opportunity to finally fly themselves free!

My air time with the airlines passed safely with the blink of an eye. All the necessary precautions were in place – safe distance from strangers, face shield, face mask, PPE wear-over jacket and of course, the sanitizer. The number of protective measures taken at the Mumbai and Goa airports sure released a sense of comfort amongst the passengers, and in no time, I was in the blues...oh sorry, the greens of Goa!

The Most Unconventional Side of Goa

Take a good close look at the map of Goa. There's North and there's South. But then, there's also this third part of Goa that has been unfamiliar to most. That's the East region of Goa. A region particularly marked in green; thanks to the dense forests here. Considered as one of the best protected wildlife regions of India, Goa is home to some of the prettiest, rare, endangered species of animals, birds, mammals and reptiles. Be it the snowy white Siberian birds flying from Russia or the never-seen skins of stranger animals, East Goa is home to dense woods that barely find the light of the ground. With 6 large sanctuaries bordered by the Western Ghats, the state provides a corridor for rare species of animals to spend some time in their habitat; uninterrupted by human intervention.

This blog offers you a glimpse into the wildlife of Goa concerning what one can expect observe and witness. A guide about how to best explore this side of Goa – the unconventional one – beyond its beaches and party hubs is that, one simply needs to pack their bags and pitch their tents on faraway lands of the wilderness!

A Hidden Gem in the Eastern Stretch of Goa

Bhagwan Mahavir Wildlife Sanctuary is the piece of land I chose for my dose of wildlife adventure. Settling myself at an eco-friendly resort named Nature's Nest, I was all set to observe animals in their rawest of behaviours. At the resort, I, fortunately, found my kind of people – curious, adventurous and nature lovers. As Nature's Nest has a reputation for being a birding hotspot, I met many birdwatchers, wildlife photographers and environmental conservationists who had flown from different parts of the country and overseas to indulge in their activities of photography, wildlife research and more. Our common interests often took us into the woods for casual walking trails and night safaris; with attempts to spot wild animals, rare birds, mammals and reptiles. And to my expectations, I did spot some of the most lesser known creatures like Indian Civet Cats, Giant Squirrel, Sambar deer, Great hornbill, Vernal - hanging Parrot, Nightjars and the White bellied woodpecker. My favourite, though, was learning about the tons of venomous as well as harmless species of snakes I recall spotting at least expected events. To name a few, the humped nose pit viper, common crate, baby python and bronze back snake really had me intrigued by their behavioural pattern.

Being a fulltime traveller, I am quite used to this life of uncertainty. However, the 20 odd days in the jungles made me realise how mother nature has so much more to offer. Perhaps, the depth of which you and I or anybody else can never measure. The jungles come with great life lessons. They make the mind alert and vigilant, the reflexes – a lot sharper, and the body – so much fitter. There is absolutely no reason for one to not experience this side of life ever!

What’s more? Hidden within these forests are river streams and cascading waterfalls that surely prove to be a delightful surprise. The kind that makes you want to take a dip instantly!

I chose Bhagwan Mahavir Wildlife Sanctuary for myself. You could choose from others on the list too. There is Netravali Wildlife Sanctuary, Mhadei Wildlife Sanctuary, Cotigao Wildlife Sanctuary, Molem Wildlife Sanctuary, Bondla Wildlife Sanctuary and also Salim Ali Bird Sanctuary. No matter which of these sanctuaries or national parks you choose to explore, the vast stretches of Western Ghats in East Goa is sure to leave you spellbound and in awe of wilderness!