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 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.
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.
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,
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
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.
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 An Aqueduct of the South Western 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
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. 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,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.
Visitor information
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: 91-832-2612211.
Accommodations- For bookings at the Forest Rest House in Mollem,
contact: Chief Conservator of Forests, Forest Department, Panaji, Goa
Phone: 0832-2224747 or 0832-2225926.
The Doodh Sagar Resort has cottages, dormitory and a restaurant at
Mollem adjacent to the Sanctuary Headquarters. Phone: 0832-2612319 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.
Courtesy:Wikipedia
