Flora and Fauna of Goa

The flora and fauna of Goa is a medley rich in biodiversity. Goa has a forest cover of 1,424 sq kms. Most of it – 33% of the geographic area is under government forests (1224.38 km˛), of which about 62% has been brought under Protected Areas (PA) of Wildlife Sanctuaries and National Park – is owned by the Government and is located in the interior eastern regions of the state. The Western Ghats, which form most of eastern Goa, have been internationally recognised as one of the biodiversity hotspots of the world. The flora and fauna of Goa is so incredible that in the February 1999 issue of National Geographic Magazine, Goa was compared with the Amazon and Congo basins for its rich tropical biodiversity.

The rich flora and fauna of Goa comprise of bamboo canes, chillar barks, maratha barks, bhirand. Coconut trees are ubiquitous and are present in almost all areas of Goa barring the elevated regions. Most of the forest products come from coconut trees. The flora and fauna of Goa include deciduous vegetation like teak, sal, and cashew. Fruits include jackfruits, mangos, pineapples and blackberries. Since there is a substantial area under private forests and a large tract under cashew, mango, coconut, etc. plantations, the total forest and tree cover constitutes 56.6% of the geographic area.

Foxes, wild boars and migratory birds are found in the jungles of Goa. Numerous types of fish are also caught off the coast of Goa and in its rivers. Crabs, lobsters, shrimps, jellyfish, oysters and catfish form some of the piscine catch. Goa also has a high snake population, which keeps the rodent population in control. The avifauna includes kingfishers, mynas and parrots. The Salim Ali Bird sanctuary is one of the best-known bird sanctuaries in India is located on the island of Chorao. Other wildlife sanctuaries include the Bondla Wildlife Sanctuary, Molem Wildlife Sanctuary, Cotigao Wildlife Sanctuary, Madei Wildlife Sanctuary, Netravali Wildlife Sanctuary and Mahaveer Wildlife Sanctuary.