Dr. Salim Ali Birrd Sanctuary

Relatively less known, this wonderful tourist spot can certainly be in your must visit list in Goa. The environment, scenic beauty, purity of nature, calmness can all be felt here. Although, known for spotting birds, the overall feeling one gets by spending an hour in the river over here is something you will cherish for long.

The sanctuary is located close to Panjim in an Island within river Mandovi called ‘Chorla’. Reaching ‘Chorla’ itself is exciting as one needs to take a ferry (a boat) from Ribandar area (about 3-4 kms from Panjim). The ferry is the only mode of travelling to Chorla Island and  it can carry you along with your bike/car to the Island. For locals living in Chorla, this is a daily affair but for visitors it is certainly a delight to cross the river through ferry, which is open on all side and gives a superb view of the river water. Ferry keeps plying from one end to another and there is a designated spot for boarding it. You can drive your car/bike directly inside the ferry. The journey from one end to another is approximately 10 minutes and is free of cost (10 Rs. in case you are taking your car inside).

Ferry for reaching Chorla Island

Once you alight the ferry on the Island, you will find the office of the sanctuary on the left side. You need to pay the fee Rs. 20/- per person as entry fee. There are two ways of touring the sanctuary. You can either walk on the walk way made by the side of the river. This path is surrounded by trees and plants and will take you deeper inside where you can spot birds. During rainy season the walk ways may be slippery and difficult specially for elderly and children. Also, not much can be seen through this route.

Entrance for walking inside santuary

Another and better way of touring the sanctuary is to hire a boat and ply on the river. The sanctuary has some of its boat that can be hired for Rs. 900/- for a round of 1 hour. However, many times these boats are under maintenance and the staff over there also do not provide necessary information on how to hire this boat. There is a private boat operator also, who usually take the tourist inside the river. The name of this person is Uday and he seems to have monopoly in this area for taking tourist. He claims to have government permission and the sanctuaries staff also seems to know him well. His boat is an open type, motor operated and is parked at about 1.5 kms distance from Sanctuary’s gate in river. He also seems to be very proficient with the knowledge of birds and will take you deep inside the river and make your trip meaningful. Getting on his boat is little difficult for older people, but once inside you will start getting the feel of the place. It is best that you negotiate the rate with him as he has a habit of quoting high. For full boat don’t pay him more than 1000 bucks. In season time (winters) it could be slightly higher. The boat has a capacity of 15 people and you can share it with other tourists also if available.

Spotting birds

The part of the sanctuary river

The round inside the river is for approximately 1 hour in which he will take you to length of the river and close to places where migratory birds can be spotted. He will also keep telling you about these birds if you are interested to know. Time to visit the bird sanctuary is early in the morning (around 6:30 pm). Plan your time well, keeping in consideration time lapse that will happen in Ferry and till reaching the boat. After 8:00 or 8:30, it is of no use to be in the sanctuary as most birds will go away and the climate will also not be pleasant.

Tips:

1. Call Uday, one day in advance to book and negotiate the rate

2. Reach early, at about 6:30 to 7:00 am

3. Very limited options for snacks and beverages, so carry your eatables along with you

4. Check season, if you are interested in birds, other wise for a pleasant ride you can go any time

5. Take your binoculars for getting a good view of birds

6. If you are just 1 to 3 people, better to club yourself with other tourists as there is no provision of individual charge in boat

7. take your vehicle along with you in ferry as after reaching the Island you may have to go further 1.5 kms to take the boat

Quick points

1. Uday’s number – 9545062069, 9822583127

2. Timing – starts at morning 6:00 am

3. Charge of boat – depend upon negotiation but should be in range of Rs. 900/-  to Rs.1500/-

4. Boat capacity – about 15 person

5. To read more visit http://www.goanjourney.com/Bird-Sanctuary-Dr.Salim-Ali-Bird-Sanctuary-Goa-COI-141-0.html