Cotigao Wildlife Sanctuary
A Karnataka-border forest with a 25 m treetop watchtower
A Cotigao Wildlife Sanctuary visit means about 86 sq km of southern forest in Canacona, with a 25 m treetop watchtower over a waterhole and nature trails.
Overview
Cotigao Wildlife Sanctuary covers about 86 square kilometres of forest in Canacona taluka, on the border between Goa and Karnataka, and it was set up in 1968. Nature walkers and birdwatchers get the most from it, and the post-monsoon months from October to March are the recommended time. Anyone expecting a safari with guaranteed big animals should adjust expectations, because sightings are patchy.
The feature that people remember is a 25 m watchtower built into a treetop above a waterhole. Animals visit the water around dawn and dusk, so the tower is best used early or late. The sanctuary has eight nature trails, from about 500 m to 5 km long, and an eco-tourism complex near the entrance handles visitor facilities. The forest department also keeps camping spots and cottage rooms for overnight stays, which are arranged through the department.
The woodland mixes moist deciduous, semi-evergreen and evergreen trees, some reaching about 30 m. Flying squirrel, slender loris, Indian pangolin, mouse deer and four-horned antelope are recorded here, with gaur seen occasionally. Birdlife includes the Malabar trogon, the white-bellied woodpecker and the speckled piculet, and reptiles include pit vipers and the flying lizard. Velip and Kunbi communities live in and around the area, so the forest is also a place where people live and work.
The gate lies about 2 km from Poinguinim village and about 10 km from Chaudi, the taluka's main town. Buses on the national highway towards Karwar can drop you within about 2 km of the gate, but the interior is easier with your own transport. Palolem and Agonda, the nearest beach bases, are the natural places to stay, and the sanctuary fits a half-day outing from either one.
Dabolim is the airport and Canacona the railway station to plan around. Check timings, tickets and any restrictions locally with the forest department before you go, since conditions inside a sanctuary can change from season to season, and plan to carry water and wear closed shoes for the trails.
Known for
A 25 m tower over a waterhole, used at dawn and dusk
Quick facts
Tropical and humid, with most of the year's rain in the southwest monsoon from June to September, so trails are drier from October.
Goa International Airport (Dabolim), distance (to be supplied)
Canacona (code CNO) on the Konkan Railway, distance (to be supplied)
The gate is about 2 km from Poinguinim village and about 10 km from Chaudi. Buses on the national highway towards Karwar stop within about 2 km of the gate. Drive times (to be supplied).
Reach the treetop watchtower early or late in the day, since animals use the waterhole at dawn and dusk
Arrange any overnight stay through the forest department in advance, and re-check the current procedure with them
Use your own transport for the interior, because buses on the national highway stop about 2 km from the gate
Location
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