The Se Cathedral at Old Goa, an example of Portuguese architecture and one of the largest churches in Asia
Dudhsagar Falls on the Goa-Karnataka border
Posted on 10/16/2015 2:46:21 AM PDT by OrthodoxIndianCatholic
Goa which is situated on the West Coast of India is well known for its famous beaches such as Calangute, Vagator, Colva, and Arambol.
However, it is relatively unknown as a "Refuge" for Tigers.
Camera Traps installed by the Wildlife Conservation Society in April 2013 in Mhadei Wildlife Sanctuary in Goa captured 4 Tigers on film.
These findings, on film give some hope that the State Government of Goa in its wisdom will now declare this sanctuary located in the ecologically rich "Western Ghats" or Western Indian Mountains a "Tiger Reserve".
It is necessary to declare 500 square kilometres of the Mhadei Region right now as a "Tiger Reserve" in order to protect it from vested interests namely mining companies.
It seems that Mhadei Wildlife Sanctuary has become the "permanent abode" of Tigers. Goa's Chief Wildlife Warden says that there are Tigers in an area of at least 200 square kilometres.
Earlier, it was believed that these Tigers were crossing over from Karnataka and Maharashtra in search of food-- but that's not the case now.
Goa State Forest Department records indicate the permanent presence of at least 6-10 Tigers in Goa.
Apart from this evidence, from the Goa State Forest Department, there is evidence indicating the presence of at least 35 resident tigers in Mhadei Wildlife Sanctuary in North Goa.
Strictly speaking, Goa was not a traditional "Home" for Tigers but in the past 5-10 years, Tigers from neighbouring Bhimgad and Anshi-Dandeli Tiger Reserves in Karnataka had visited Forests in Sattari District of North Goa because of "Biotic Pressures".
Now, in 2015 there is evidence to show that Tigers in Goa are not merely "Transient Animals" but are part and parcel of the resident population.
Mhadei Wildlife Sanctuary in Goa is a contiguous tiger landscape with tiger areas in Maharashtra and Karnataka.
Important Points to be kept in mind regarding Tiger Habitat in Goa :
1) Mhadei and Neturlim, Goa's Wildlife Sanctuaries declared in June 1999 were notified then as one of the finest tiger habitats in the country by the then Goa Government.
2) They were also identified as a "Tiger Conservation Unit" along with contiguous forest areas of Karnataka and Maharashtra in a study by international organisations.
3) U.S. Fish and Wildlife Services and Wildlife Conservation Society, New York in a study had categorised the "Western Ghats" as the second best tiger habitat in India after the Sunderbans Mangrove Forests in West Bengal in Eastern India.
Credits and References :
1) Tigers caught on camera in Goa by Chetan Chauhan, Hindustan Times Saturday, April 27, 2013
http://www.hindustantimes.com/india-news/tourist-hub-goa-gets-a-new-attraction-tigers/article1-1051056.aspx
2) Goa is the new Home for Tigers by Chetan Chauhan, Hindustan Times, July 4, 2011
http://www.hindustantimes.com/india-news/big-cats-find-a-new-home-goa-s-mhadei-sanctuary/article1-716511.aspx
Greetings from Mumbai, India.
The Tiny State of Goa on the West Coast of India is well known for its beaches but relatively unknown as a "Home for Wild Tigers".
Mhadei Wildlife Sanctuary on the Goa- Maharashtra Border has been lately in the news because of its "Resident Tiger Population".
Mhadei Wildlife Sanctuary is nestled amidst the ecologically rich Western Ghats or Western Mountain Range.
Mhadei Wildlife Sanctuary in North Goa is the "Only" Tiger Habitat in the State of Goa.
The Western Ghats or Western Mountain Range in India is possibly the best Tiger Habitat in India given its climate and topography.
Tiger Numbers in South West India have been increasing in leaps and bounds over the last 5-10 years.
Let us save this pristine Forest and its Tigers for generations to come.
PING this over to Slings and Arrows. :) =^..^=
A good priest friend of mine Fr. Amar (who passed away about five years ago) thought that Goa was wonderful, and one of the finest and most beautiful places in the world. Blessings to you!
So does this mean that the Tigers won’t be in the AL Central next year?
I would hate to see a Tiger that got into the Feni.
Dudhsagar Falls on the Goa-Karnataka border
On the Konkan RR
Hope the Tigers do better next season, just as much as the Red Soxs.
If anyone is interested, my brother has a small Villa for sale in Calangute.
“... and one-time Portuguese colony, ...”
Those pics are spectacular. Thank you for posting them.
Just showing my research results, as I wanted to find out more about this. Glad you enjoyed them. I did too, which is why I decided to share.
Just pretty pictures I found looking into that area on the web, and thought I would share.
My understanding was that the eastern sundarbans contained the majority of tigers. Glad to hear the western ghats contain them too.
The Ghats are volcanic and formed 50-70 million years ago as the subcontinent moved from its original southern location to its current location crashing into Asia and pushing up the Himalayas. I love how whole temples are carved out of volcanic rock
Not quite a bucket list item but I’d love to visit India.
No, don’t let your government do this. Let it be privately done or not at all. Don’t make the mistake US Catholics made in allowing our government to set aside developable assets for naught.
OH MY GOODNESS! I just LOVE the picture of Dudhsagar Falls. Thank you, Robert!
Of interest to you, perhaps :-)
I still remember GOA. The Indian Army eventually attacked and over ran the place back in the 1960s or early 70s. it was the equivalent of a Portuguese Hong Kong.
I remember when Nehru invaded and annexed Goa, along with two other Portuguese enclaves on the coast of India. I believe it was in 1961.
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