The Bhagwan Mahavir Sanctuary and the Mollem National Park together cover an area of 240 sq km. Mahavir is the main sanctuary, while Mollem is the core area. The vegetation cover seen here varies from moist deciduous to evergreen forests. The reserve, especially the area near the Dudhsagar Falls, is stunning.
Three-fourths of the reserve area lies to the south of NH4A in the sanctuary. A well-connected network of village roads around the periphery makes a road journey to the reserve easy. Those proceeding from within Goa can take the Ponda-Dharbandora-Sancordem-Satpal-Bolconem route. This will allow you to include a visit to the Lord Mahadeva Temple at Tambdi Surla on the way to the sanctuary.
There are an estimated 35 km of dirt tracks inside the park. Approximately 100 sq m of this area has been earmarked as the tourist zone; most of this falls in the Mollem Park. The Bhagwan Mahavir Sanctuary has an area of 133 sq km. Take the short route to Bhagwan Mahavir if you are already in Goa (saving you about 18-20 km) and then drive on to Mollem Town, where you have better and cheaper stay options.
The Nature Education Centre, which doubles up as a Range Office, is close to the Mollem Checkpost, 2.5 km from the Mollem Town. The Mollem Checkpost is the main entry point and here you can get your tickets and vehicle permits for the sanctuary. However, people travelling from Tambdi Surla can enter from the Bolcornem Checkpost and those from Dudhsagar Falls, at the Collem ticket counter. Keep in mind though that the route to Dudhsagar Falls closes at 3.30 pm; it’s also closed for vehicular traffic during the monsoons (June-September). Within the sanctuary area are an observation tower (just a short distance from the Mollem Checkpost), the Dudhsagar Falls (in the southeast), Sunset Point (off the highway, closer to the Karnataka side) and Devil’s Canyon, which is close to Collem Village.
The packages that are offered by the Dudhsagar Spa Resort include excursions to the falls. Travellers on their own can take their taxi only up to the Dudhsagar Falls Counter, from where they need to hire a taxi of the ‘Dudhsagar Waterfalls Operators Union’, for the ride to the falls. Private vehicles are not allowed in. Remember that the falls are closed to vehicular traffic in the monsoons. The only way of viewing them then is from the train moving along the Londa-Collem track. Dudhsagar Resort arranges for a train trip at this time of the year for its guests.
Park Entry ₹20 Vehicle Entry ₹400 per person Timings 8.30am-3.30pm, Closed June-September
Hiking
There are two nature trails. One is a 2.5-km long trail from the Tambdi Surla Temple area to a small waterfall and the other is a 5-km long trek from near the Mollem Park gate to Kachond, where there is an ancient temple. There is a 14-km long trek along Sunset Point up to Anmod on the Goa border. Local guides can be hired at Collem Village, from the taxi union in Collem, which arranges tours to Dudhsagar Falls.
Night excursions in the sanctuary can be arranged on special request, in the company of a forest official. There are no extra charges for this. But you will need to have your own vehicle. Private vehicles are now allowed into Bhagwan Mahavir.
Park Entry ₹20 Vehicle Entry Car/jeep ₹75, bus/ tempo Rs. 150 Timings 9.00am-5.30pm Photography ₹30 Videography ₹150
TIP The same tariff and ticket is valid for both sanctuaries (for 24 hours). If you visit them on separate days, you need to buy separate entry tickets
THINGS TO SEE AND DO
You need to be lucky – and early – to catch a glimpse of creatures such as the bison, cheetal, sambar, Malayan giant squirrel and wild boar in these sanctuaries. Birds, however, are easier to spot.
Dudhsagar Falls Tour
Ensconced in the Western Ghats, Goa’s highest and largest waterfalls cascade down 306 m. The water plummeting into the huge pool at the bottom and the boulder formation around it are incredible. Take a dip in the pool or dive into it (instead of simply standing there crunching away on crispy snacks and throwing away the empty packets on the rocks, as many tourists seem to prefer doing).
WHERE TO STAY AND EAT
Resorts here offer seasonal package rates, which include stay, meals and tours around the sanctuary areas. It’s best to eat at the place where you are staying.
The Dudhsagar Spa Resort (Tel: 0832-2612238/ 319; Tariff: ₹3,000-5,500) is located just before the Mollem Checkpost on NH4A. It has restaurants, a bar, swimming pool and spa. They also arrange wildlife tours.
Backwoods Camp (Cell: 09822144939; Tariff: ₹6,000 per person for 3D/ 2N including meals, guided birdwatching and taxes) has four rooms and six cottages. If you are a keen bird-watcher, this is the place to be in.
You could stay at the Forest Department’s Eco-Tourism Complex at Aranyak, which offers six tents (₹600-800) and a ten-bedded dormitory (₹200 per person). Meals can be arranged on request. Bookings must be made at the office of the Deputy Conservator of Forests, Forest Department, Panjim (Tel: 0832-2229701).
Sahyadri Spice Farm (Cell: 09423813646, 09545884460), in Pikalewadi, Collem, 2 km past the Forest Checkpost, is a 400-acre property. Currently, their rooms are being renovated but the restaurant is open. They offer sightseeing tours, elephant rides and trekking.
When to go November-January is the best time for sightings Location At Mollem in Sanguem Taluka, close to the eastern border of Goa and Karnataka, on the forested slopes of the Western Ghats Air Nearest airport: Dabolim Rail Nearest rail: Collem
THE INFORMATION
Tourist Offices
Department of Tourism
1st Floor, Paryatan Bhawan
Patto Plaza, Panjim, Goa
Tel: 0832-2494200
W goatoursim.gov.in
Central Reservations Office
GTDCL, 2nd Floor, Paryatan Bhawan
Patto Plaza, Panjim, Goa
Tel: 2437701, 2438002-03, 2438866
GTDCL
Facilitation Counter
Goa Airport, Dabolim
Tel: 2540829, 2540031
W goa-tourism.com
GTDCL
Opposite Municipal Garden
Madgaon. Tel: 2715528, 2715096
GTDCL
Mapusa Residency
Near bus stand
Calangute – Mapusa Raod
Mapusa
Tel: 2262794/ 694
GTDCL
Vasco Residency
Near Railway Station
Vasco
Tel: 251319, 2511002
Mollem NP
Deputy Conservator of Forests
Wildlife and Eco-Tourism, Panjim
Tel: 0832-2229701
W forest.goa.gov.in
STD Code 0832