Location:
Island of Chorao near Mandovi River. How to reach: Take a bus/cab from Panaji to the Ribandar ferry dock and then take a ferry across the Mandovi River to the island of Chorao.
Best season: October to March.
Main Attraction: Exotic bird species and small wild animals.
One of the smallest bird sanctuaries, Dr. Salim Ali Bird sanctuary has been named after India's renowned ornithologist. This sanctuary is spread over an area of merely 1.8 square kilometers. Though small, the sanctuary homes around 400 species of birds, both local and migratory.
The sanctuary can be visited after seeking permission from the Chief Wild Life Warden, Forest Department, Panaji. Besides a rich diversity of exotic birds, one may catch a glimpse of wild animals like crocodiles, foxes, and jackals. The sanctuary is open throughout the year, though it is better to avoid it during the monsoons and summers when it can get really hot and humid.
The area is covered with dense mangrove vegetation. Mangrove ecology is among the most prolific ones known. They provide shelter and basis for procreation for a number of varieties of fish and insects, which form the base of the food chain.
