All About India's 55th Tiger Reserve, Mhadei Wildlife Sanctuary

The beaches in Goa get a lot of attention, but there's another side to the sunshine state. For instance, the lush forests of the stretch of the Western Ghats inside its borders. There are several wildlife sanctuaries in the state. One of them, the Mhadei Wildlife Sanctuary, will be recognised as a new tiger reserve this month, making it the country's 55th tiger reserve.

The Wild Side

Located in the northern part of Goa, in Sanguem taluka (near Valpoi), Mhadei is a relatively recent reserve. Spread over an area of 208 sq km (approx), it is rich in biodiversity. Mhadei incorporates outstanding semi-evergreen, mixed moist deciduous, and evergreen forests. The natural environment is comprised hills, waterfalls, and a vast bio-diversity of life forms all waiting to be explored and appreciated. Mhadei has been designated as a Tiger Conservation Unit (Mark II) and is known for being home to Royal Bengal tigers. The Goa section of the Western Ghats was identified as an important tiger corridor between Karnataka's Anshi-Dandeli Tiger Reserve and Maharashtra's Sahyadris in the 2010 National Tiger Conservation Authority tiger estimation. The area is in fact vital to tribal conservation experts, and numerous investigations take place here from time to time. It is known for the discovery of the Mhadei Caecilian, a legless amphibian species.

A Birding Hub

It also features several endemic bird species. The sanctuary is designated as an International Bird Area (IN177) because it fits the following IBA criteria: A1. Globally endangered species; A2. Range-restricted species; and A3. Biome-restricted species. IBA trigger species include the Nilgiri wood-pigeon, Malabar parakeet, Malabar grey hornbill, grey-headed bulbul, rufous babbler, white-bellied blue-flycatcher, and crimson-backed sunbird. Around 255 different bird species call the sanctuary home. It is known to be home to the endangered long-billed vulture. Their breeding grounds are near Vazra Falls in Mhadei.

Different Trails

This sanctuary is a one-of-a-kind destination for visitors, with exquisitely carved rock sculptures nestled among holy groves, and several old temples, and other structures. Visit the Lord Brahamadev temple, which is supposed to house the state's only Lord Brahma emblem. There are several popular treking and hiking trails within the sanctuary including ones to three of the highest peaks in Goa: Sonsogod, Talache Sada, and Vagheri (which means "abode of tiger"). You can also trek to Ladkyacho Falls, the highest waterfalls in North Goa.

The Information

Best Time To Go: October to March.

Where: Sanguem Taluka, Near Valpoi Town, Sanguem, India.

Getting There: The nearest airport is at Dabolim. And the nearest mainstream railhead is at Madgaon.