Bhagwan Mahaveer Sanctuary and Mollem National Park

Mollem National Park Bhagwan Mahaveer Sanctuary
—  national park  —
IUCN Category II (National Park)
Tickets are Available at Bolkarnem Patrolling Station
Mollem National Park Location of Mollem National Park in Goa and India
Coordinates	15°22′30″N 74°15′15″E / 15.375°N 74.25417°E / 15.375; 74.25417Coordinates: 15°22′30″N 74°15′15″E / 15.375°N 74.25417°E / 15.375; 74.25417
Country	India
State	Goa
District(s)	South Goa
Established	1978
Nearest city	Panaji
Time zone	IST (UTC+05:30)
Area • Elevation	107 square kilometres (41 sq mi) • 890 metres (2,920 ft)
Climate • Precipitation	•      3,080 mm (121 in)
Governing body	Goa Forest Department
Footnotes website = Mollem National Park The only National Park in Goa

Map of Bhagwan Mahaveer Sanctuary and Mollem National Park

Bhagwan Mahaveer Sanctuary and Mollem National Park is a 240 square kilometres (93 sq mi) protected area located in the Western Ghats of South India, in Sanguem taluk, Goa along the eastern border with Karnataka. The area is situated near the town of Molem, 57 kilometres (35 mi) east of Panaji, the state capital of Goa. National Highway 4A divides it into two parts and the Mormugao - Londa railway line passes through the area. It is located between 15°15"30' to 15°29"30' N and 74°10"15' to 74°20"15' E.^[1] It contains several important temples dating to the Kadamba Dynasty, and Dudhsagar Falls. The parkland is also home to a community of nomadic buffalo herders known as the Dhangar.

History

This area was first known as Mollem Game Sanctuary. It was declared a wildlife sanctuary in 1969 and renamed as Bhagwan Mahavir Sanctuary. The core area of the sanctuary covering 107 square kilometres (41 sq mi) was notified as Mollem National Park in 1978.^[2],^[3]

Flora and fauna

This sanctuary contains pristine vegetation classified as West Coast Tropical Evergreen Forests, West Coast Semi - Evergreen Forests and Moist Deciduous Forests. The evergreen forests are mainly seen at higher altitudes and along the river banks. The predominant species are Terminalia, Lagerstroemia, Xylia and Dalbergia. The forest canopy is almost closed and the availability of grass is very limited. There are several perennial water sources in the sanctuary and the availability of water is not a limiting factor for wildlife.^[4]

Mammals

Wild mammals recorded in the sanctuary include: barking deer, bengal tiger, Leopard, bonnet macaque, common langur, civet, flying squirrel, gaur, malabar giant squirrel, mouse deer, pangolin, porcupine, slender loris, sambar, spotted deer, wild boar and wild dog.

Birds

.Popular birds which can be seen in the sanctuary include: Drongo, Emerald dove, Fairy bluebird, Golden oriole, Greater Indian hornbill, Indian black woodpecker, Malabar grey hornbill, Malabar pied hornbill, Grey-headed myna, Grey jungle fowl, Large green barbet, Paradise flycatcher, Racket-tailed drongo, Ruby-throated yellow bulbul (the Goa state bird), Shrikes, Three-toed kingfisher, Sri Lanka Frogmouth, Wagtails. This sanctuary contains quite a few birds which are endemic to the Indian Subcontinent, specifically the Southern India.

Butterflies

Some of the many interesting butterfly specien in the area are: Blue Mormon, Common Jezebel, Common Mormon, Common Mime, Plum Judy, Common Wanderer, Crimson Rose, Lime Butterfly, Plain Tiger, Southern Birdwing and Tailed Jay.It also has endemic specied like Malabar Tree Nymph and Tamil Yoeman.

Reptiles

This sanctuary is famous for its snakes, particularly the king cobra. Also here are: Bronzeback Tree Snake, cat snake, hump-nosed pit viper, indian rock python, malabar pit viper, rat snake, russell's viper, Indian cobra and common krait,^[5]

Attractions

This sanctuary and national park contain several geological, cultural and visitor service attractions that make this largest protected area in Goa a popular visitor destination.

Tambdi Surla Temple

Main article: Mahadev Temple, Tambdi Surla

Mahadeva Temple, Tambdi Surla

This small but exquisite 12th century Shiva temple of the lord Mahadeva is an active place or worship, located 13 km east of Bolcornem village, past the end of a single lane paved road in the northern region of the park. The temple consists of garbhagriha, antarala and a pillared Nandi mandapa built of basalt. The four pillars, embellished with intricate carvings of elephants and chains support a stone ceiling decorated with finely carved lotus flowers of the Ashtoken variety.^[6][7]

Dudhsagar Falls

Dudhsagar Falls (literally Ocean of milk) is a tiered waterfall located high up on the Mandovi River, at the Karnaraka border in the southwest part of the park, 10 km upstream from Collem village. At 310 m, It is Goa's tallest waterfall, India's 5th tallest, and is 227th in the world ^[8] An Aqueduct of the South Central Railways passes spectacularily through the waterfalls. This popular destination may be reached by hiking along the 10 km one lane dirt road or hiring a 4 wheel drive vehicle at Collem. Access is dangerous and restricted during the monsoon season of June and July.

Devils Canyon

This is an eerie canyon of water carved crevises downstream from Dudh Sagar Falls, created from solid rock by serpentine underwater currents. It is just off the main trail soon past the Collem entry point.

Tambdi Falls

Tambdi Waterfall

This waterfall, located about 2 km southwest of Tambdi Surla, at the Karnataka border, is equally spectacular and only slightly less tall than Dudsagar Falls, however it is rarely visited because of its difficult access by a steep, winding and irregular rocky path. A local guide is required.

Sunset Point

This point provides a breathtaking view of the park, revealing a vast expanse of closed canopu treetops. It can be reached by park vehicles, hired at Mollem check-point, driving along a zig-zagging road carved from the mountain.

Threats

This protected area is threatened by extensive surface mining and transport of manganese and iron ores.^[9] A serious threat is the deposit of toxic wastes. In 2006, nearly 13 truckloads of sponge iron by-products had been dumped in the Mollem Wildlife Sanctuary and at Anmod Ghat,^[10] The settlement of private rights and concessions has still not been done away with. Some private lands are still within the sanctuary and need to be acquired in due course of time.^[11]

Visitor information

Mollem National Park, Tambdi Surla Temple, sign

Permits- All visitors to the park must obtain Entry permit from the Range Forest Officer, Bhagwan Mahaveer Sanctuary and Mollem National Park, Mollem, Goa Phone: [phone].

Accommodations- For bookings at the Forest Rest House in Mollem, contact: Chief Conservator of Forests, Forest Department, Panaji, Goa Phone: [phone] or 0832-2225926.

The Doodh Sagar Resort has cottages, dormitory and a restaurant at Mollem adjacent to the Sanctuary Headquarters. Phone: [phone] or 0832-2612238

The OM Shanti Eco-Resort near the Tambdi Surla Temple and the Shangri-la Jungle Village Resort near Anmod offer high-end foreign tourism experiences including forest trekking, elephant rides and tribal music.

Notes

1. ^ "Studies on the food and feeding habits of Gaur Bos gaurus H. Smith (Mammalia: Artiodactyla: Bovidae) in two protected areas of Goa". Journal of Threatened Taxa 1(2): 1 (2): 128–130. 2009. http://threatenedtaxa.org/ZooPrintJournal/2009/February/o158926ii09128-130.pdf. 
2. ^ The Department of Science, Technology & Environment, Saligao – Bardez, Goa WILDLIFE SANCTUARIES & NATIONAL PARKS
3. ^ (9/10/2005) The Hindu, Bhagwan Mahavir Sanctuary
4. ^ ATREE, Eco-Informatics Center, Bhagwan Mahavir or Mollem Wildlife Sanctuary, 2006
5. ^ Forest Dept, Govt. of Goa, Pocket Guide Series to Bhagwan Mahaveer Wildlife Sanctuary & Mollem National Park
6. ^ Archeological Survey of India, Sign at location
7. ^ Mahadev Temple, Tambdi Surla
8. ^ "World's highest waterfalls". World Waterfall Database. http://www.world-waterfalls.com/database.php?pageNum_wwdSearch=6&totalRows_wwdSearch=919&s=N&t=H&orderby=height&sortLimit=300. Retrieved 2006-11-11. 
9. ^ Harish, Wildlife Institute of India, Case Studies, Status of mineral resources and developments in mining sector: National perspective
10. ^ Protected Areas Update, Iron ore sludge dumped in PAs in Goa, June 2006, (61): 6.
11. ^ Wildlife Division, Forest Dept, Govt. of Goa, [1]

See also