Bhagwan Mahaveer Sanctuary and Mollen National Park in Goa

By George On

Bhagwan Mahaveer Sanctuary and Mollen National Park is situated in Sanguem taluk, Goa, and is spread over 240 square kilometers. The park shares its eastern border with Karnataka state.

This Wildlife Sanctuary and National Park are divided into two parts, as National Highway Number 4A passes through the park. Mormugao – Londa railway line passes through the parking area of this national park.

Dudhsagar Falls with four tiered cascading waterfalls, is inside this park. Many temples built during the Kadamba Dynasty are seen inside Bhagwan Mahaveer Sanctuary.

Originally known as Mollem Game Sanctuary, it was declared a wildlife sanctuary in 1969. Later on, in 1978, a portion of the wildlife sanctuary was declared as Mollem National Park, and the name was changed to Bhagwan Mahaveer Sanctuary and Mollen National Park.

Tambdi falls inside Bhagwan Mahaveer Sanctuary and Mollen National Park
Tambdi falls inside the Wildlife Sanctuary

The sanctuary has several perennial water sources. Goa depends on the Mahadayi River for 60 % of its water needs, originating in the border areas of Karnataka and Goa. Tambdi Waterfall is a beautiful fall slightly shorter than the magnificent Dudhsagar Falls inside the sanctuary. Tambdi Falls is difficult to access as it requires climbing a steep rocky path.

Bhagwan Mahaveer Sanctuary is very rich in flora and fauna, with 722 species of flowering plants. 128 species of endemic plants, endemic to either Western Ghats or India, are seen in this sanctuary. An additional 37 species of Pteridophytes (plants which neither flower nor have seeds, but reproduce and disperse via spores) are also found in this National Park. Many Mammals, Butterflies, Birds, and Reptiles are also seen in this park. They are home to pristine vegetation like West Coast tropical evergreen and semi-evergreen forests and moist deciduous forests.

Dhangar, a tribal community of nomadic buffalo herders (mainly seen in Maharastra and Goa), lives in this park.

How Do I Go to Bhagwan Mahaveer Sanctuary and Mollen National Park?

Molem is the nearest town to Bhagwan Mahaveer Sanctuary and Mollen National Park at around 57 kilometers from Panaji, the capital of Goa state, India.