Mollem -nature's paradise

The park was earlier known as Mollem game sanctuary. It was announced a wildlife sanctuary in 1969 and renamed Bhagwan Mahaveer Sanctuary. The beginning area of the sanctuary spread over 107 sq km was named Mollem National Park in 1978. Since then the national park is called Bhagwan Mahaveer Sanctuary and Mollem National Park. Several species of snakes including the King Cobra, Hump-nosed pit viper, Indian rock python and Malabar pit viper are found in the park. The national park showcases a wide variety of birds like fairy bluebird, wagtails, three-toed kingfisher, drongo, golden oriole, great Indian hornbill. Some of the birds found here are native to the region. Butterflies of many species like Blue Mormon, Crimson Rose, Tailed Jay, Malabar Tree Nymph, Tamil Yoeman, Plain Tiger and Lime Butterfly are found in the region. Jungle safaris are a major attraction of the park. Unlike other parks, vehicles are allowed inside the reserve and it adds to the experience of watching the wildlife. The park is also known for its trekking trails. The 12th-century Tambdi Surla temple, Devil’s Canyon, Sunset Point and Tambdi Water Falls are some of the other attractions of the park. 

The park is home to a rich and rarefied wildlife species. the rich and rarefied wildlife includes tigers, Leopards, Elephants, Deers, Indian Bison, the King Cobra, Hump-nosed pit viper, Indian rock python, Malabar pit vipers, and a wide variety of birds like fairy bluebird, wagtails, three-toed kingfisher, drongo, golden oriole, and great Indian hornbill. Some rare species of floras such as Terminalia, Hopea, Messua, Decline Calophyllum, Kokum Garcinia, Artocarpus Lakoocha, Enthada Pursaetha, Gnetum Ula, Arbus precatorius, Costus species, Rauwolfia Serpentina etc are also found in this park. 

Goa presents wide-ranging habitats to a diverse array of shells. Tropical climate with warmer temperatures and liquids, ample rainfall, decent intertidal ranges, suitable salinity influences, abundant sunlight, and mangrove forests with distinct ecosystem flora offer favourable conditions for a variety of molluscan species in Goa. Various shell habitats such as sandy beaches, rocky shores, mangrove patches and mudflats exist in Goa. Mangrove forests, sand dunes and Khazan lands are important coastal ecosystems of Goa. Rich mangroves are found along with the coastal and estuarine areas. Most of the rivers of Goa are estuarine, having tidal influences up to several km of the riverine system. Different salinity ranges along the length of the rivers provide different ecological circumstances. This results in different flora and fauna that includes a wide array of molluscan species. Gastropoda and Bivalvia are the most prominent classes of Mollusca found in Goa. The shells found on Goan beaches are attractive in different colours, shapes, ornamentation and sculpture. This chapter presents a description of the entire coastline of Goa and ecological features of different beaches that harbour different molluscan shells. 

There is crucial scientific evidence that visiting a forest can improve your mood, your attention span, and even enhance psychological stress recovery. Walking among trees can reduce levels of cortisol, the stress hormone while improving mood and lowering anxiety. The therapeutic effects of a forest can be considered to be the results of health treatment in a forest environment. It is possible that a forest may provide opportunities which foster the establishment of more efficient and active behaviour, thereby enhancing mental and physical health and psychological functioning. Most of the studies carried out to date appraised the values of forest- related clinical programs in strengthening the effective performance of delinquents, in- and out-patients of psychiatric institutions, including emotionally disturbed children, alcohol abusers, or people with other clinical mental health problems. 

A growing body of scientific evidence shows that the falling of tropical forests creates optimal conditions for the spread of mosquito-borne scourges, including malaria and dengue. Primates and other animals are also dissipating disease from cleared forests to people. 

Why visit Bhagwan Mahavir Sanctuary and Mollem National Park in Goa. The sanctuary is also home to Mahadev Temple, Tambdi Surla: one of the oldest temples in Goa. The temple appears to have survived the ravages of both the Muslim and Portuguese invaders by virtue of its incredibly isolated location. Enjoy the scenic jungle roads, crisscrossing a few villages surrounding the national park. The sanctuary is so rich in wildlife and bird species that a visit could turn out to be truly enriching.