Goa Information Blog

Cotigao Wildlife Sanctuary

Cotigao sanctuary encircles 86 sq. km of deciduous forest and natural vegetation. Demarcated in 1969, it is part of the Canacona taluka in South Goa, nearly 3 km off the Panaji-Mangalore National Highway No.17. It is best seen with private transport. Wildlife may be harder to observe in this park owing to the presence of human inhabitation of the Kunbi and Velip tribal communities. The Kunbi, a popular folk dance of Goa, originated from this tribe who are thought to be the descendants of the aboriginal communities of pre-Aryan settlement. Guides are available in this park and may be helpful in locating various animal and plant species, including a small waterhole known to attract the reserve’s wildlife. It is open from 9:30 am to 5:30 pm, as are most of the other sanctuaries, and has a small rest house where visitors can spend the night if they receive permission in advance. The ancient Jeevottam Partagal Math, noted for Vedic studies, lies in the vicinity of the sanctuary