Calangute Beach
Situated along the north-east border of Goa at Molem, it is about one and a half hours’ journey from Panaji, which is a journey of about 60 kilometres along the Panaji-Belgaum National Highway. The Bhagwan Mahavir Wildlife Sanctuary covers an area of 240 Sq. Meters of thick forest clad slopes of the Western Ghats and its valleys and is the biggest of the three sanctuaries in Goa. The sanctuary is rich in wildlife. It is a paradise for bird watchers. Besides flora and fauna, there are many important geological and historical features in this sanctuary. Dhudsagar waterfalls are about an hour’s journey from Collem by train. The journey is a feast for the eyes. The “Devil Canyon” is another beautiful geological spot. The famous Lord Mahadeva Temple is situated at Tambdi Surla, about 13 kilometers from Mollem.
Goa is the only state in India that has protected the complete Western Ghats section within the state. These are all thick monsoon forests that hold a great reservoir of biodiversity. The forest types include montane rain forests, moist deciduous forests, and dry deciduous forests. The whole area is a rich repository of medicinal plants and herbs, which are in great demand by pharmaceutical MNCs abroad, e.g. Mappia foetida is used for the treatment of ovarian and colon cancers.
Accommodation in the form of cottages and dormitories is provided by the Goa Tourism Department.
