|
|
Up in the lush foothills of the Western Ghats, Bondla is
good place to see Sambhar and Wild Boar. It is smallest of the Goan
Wildlife Sanctuaries. Its area is 8-sq-kms but easiest one to reach.
Situated 55-km from Panajim and 38-km from
Margoa, the sanctuary includes a Botanical
Garden, fenced Deer Park and Zoo, which is better than most, with
reasonably spacious enclosures.
A Nice Place For Outing
The zoo was originally established to house orphaned animals, but it's
now also breeding colony for large species of deer. It covers 8-sq-kms of
deciduous forest Bondla is a miniature zoo of caged animals and birds and
a popular picnic destination for locals. Elephant rides are an attraction
here.
The Fauna
The hills to the southeast are populated by Monkeys, Wild Boar, Deer,
Gaur, Langurs, Jackals, Pythons, and Leopards. Bondla is also another
bird-watching haven like its counterparts at Chorao and Cotigao. Rangado
river flows on the east of this forest and Madhel on its north. Bondla
forest nest Bison, Wild Beer, Deer, Leopard, various types of serpent and
birds. On to its way, the only mosque
Safa Shahouri Masjid
built by Ali Adilshah in 1560 can be seen at Ponda. 