The Guide: Netravali Wildlife Sanctuary

Along Goa’s eastern front, the biodiverse Western Ghats stretch their fingers across 600 sq km of forested slopes, grassy plateaus, rain-fed streams, and waterfalls. These diverse habitats provide a home to a wealth of plant, animal, and avian life. In 1999, when Netravali and Mhadei were declared wildlife sanctuaries, the entirety of the Western Ghats within Goa became a protected area, with contiguous wildlife sanctuaries extending from the northeast to the southeast of the state.

Each sanctuary is characterised by unique landscapes and vegetation, best explored on walking and driving trails. Netravali is all winding ghat roads and undulating terrain, especially glorious in the monsoon when swirling clouds hang low and the peaks of the Sahyadris play hide and seek with the mist. Water cascades down rock faces, and small streams tumble across roads. The densely packed forests of tall trees take on an emerald hue. And in this wet wilderness, life thrives. Herpetofauna, fungi, seasonal orchids, and flowering plants all burst forth with the arrival of the rains.

EXPLORE

Spread across 211.05 sq km, Netravali Wildlife Sanctuary in southeast Goa is the state’s largest sanctuary. Bhagwan Mahavir Wildlife Sanctuary lies to its north, Karnataka state to the east, and Cotigao Wildlife Sanctuary to the south. The vegetation ranges from moist deciduous to patches of semi-evergreen and evergreen forest, with some high-altitude grasslands. The main draws for tourists are the Savri and Mainapi waterfalls within the sanctuary — both accessed by hikes from the main Matoni gate. Visitors can follow clearly defined trails to both waterfalls. While Savri is easily accessible by a roughly 2-km-long trek with stairs, Mainapi is accessed by a 4.5-km trail. It’s advisable to start earlier in the day to make it back by 5.30 pm when the park gates close.

Venture beyond these frequented paths to truly experience the diverse flora and fauna of the Western Ghats. There are no safaris or forest department guides in the sanctuary, so self-drives are the best way to explore it. The undulating terrain is interspersed with seasonal streams and cascades that spring to life in the monsoon. Mountain roads flanked by dense acacia and ficus trees take you high into the clouds. There’s a huge diversity of seasonal orchids found here, including terrestrial species like toothbrush orchids, spider orchids, peristylus orchids, and the rare Habenaria elwesii.

As you gain elevation, you emerge into an evergreen forest defined by cane and strangler figs. The rock face bursts with insectivorous plants like tiny yellow utricularia and the ground is carpeted with purple flowers. In the monsoon, moss and mushrooms sprout all around. 

SEASONS

From June to late September, the monsoon hits the Western Ghats, bringing non-stop rain interspersed with weak spells of sunshine. The forests and hills transform into lush green landscapes, streams are full, and waterfalls are in spate. Monsoon is the best time to visit Netravali Wildlife Sanctuary to see the abundance of seasonal flora and fauna: orchids, fungi, and a range of flowering plants, plus snakes, frogs, and geckos. Winter, from November to February, is a good time to experience Goa’s avian diversity. 

WILDLIFE

Nestled within the biodiverse Western Ghats, the habitat is home to about 50 animal species and nearly 200 bird species. There are mammals like gaur, leopards, wild boars, mouse deer, barking deer, plus smaller mammals like civets, porcupines, and Indian giant squirrels. Many species are endemic to the region, like the Malabar rose butterfly, seen only in Netravali and southwards. Monsoons are the best time to spot a great diversity of reptiles and amphibians, including snakes like the endemic Malabar pit viper and the green vine snake, shieldtails, hump-nosed pit viper, and king cobra. Look carefully at tree trunks to spot gliding draco lizards and arachnid species like the whip spider. As the day ends, the calls of frogs and toads resound over the din of the rain. Look closely, and you’ll spot wrinkled frogs, toads, reddish burrowing frogs, and many other species. High up in the trees, look out for the Malabar barbet, white-bellied blue flycatcher, and rufous-bellied eagle. Malabar grey hornbills and drongos are easy to spot, even under cloud cover.

COSTS & TIMINGS

Entry tickets cost Rs 100/person and Rs 100/vehicle. Tickets are available at the two gates - Matoni and Dhargini.

The sanctuary is open from 7 am until 5.30 pm.

Apart from driving routes, there are a number of walking trails within the sanctuary. Outfits like Mrugaya Expeditions can organise customised wildlife trips in the region.

GETTING THERE

By Air: The nearest airport is at Dabolim, a two-hour drive/73 km away

By Rail: The nearest railway station is at Margao, 1-hr drive/45 km away.

There is no public transport to the sanctuary. Self-driven cars/bikes or taxis are the best way to reach it.

Stay

Netravali Wildlife Sanctuary is a roughly one-hour drive from South Goa areas like Palolem and Agonda, where accommodation options are available across all budgets. In the vicinity of the sanctuary, Tanshikar Spice Farm, just 3 km away, has comfortable rooms.

Photo source (Malabar rose butterfly)