Mhadei Wildlife Sanctuary

About Mhadei Wildlife Sanctuary:

• Mhadei wildlife sanctuary is located in the Northern Part of Goa, near the village of Valpoi.
• There are a number of picturesque waterfalls within the sanctuary boundaries. The most prominent are the Vazra Sakla Falls and the Virdi Falls.
• The cliff face near the Vazra falls is notable for being the nesting grounds of the critically endangered Long-billed vultures.
• Flora: The sanctuary is thickly forested with moist deciduous vegetation and some evergreen species too. The sanctuary is particularly well-known for its sacred groves that protect rare and indigenous trees. 
• Fauna: Indian gaur, Barking deer, Sambar deer, Asian palm civet, small Indian civet, Wild boar, Indian hare etc.
• The sanctuary is a huge attraction for herpetologists since it contains a large variety of snakes including all of the ‘big four’ of Indian venomous snakes which are the Indian krait, Russell’s viper, Saw-scaled viper and Spectacled cobra
• What are sacred grooves?
• Sacred Groves are the tracts of virgin forests that are left untouched by the local inhabitants and are protected by the local people due to their culture and religious beliefs.
• Sacred groves are relic vegetation of once dominant flora. They are repositories of our rich biodiversity; they are also the last bastion where the rich culture and the customs of the indigenous people are still preserved.

 

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Q1) What is deciduous forest?

Deciduous forest is a vegetation composed primarily of broad-leaved trees that shed all their leaves during one season.In a deciduous forest, there is a complete seasonal loss of leaves followed by the production of new foliage.

Source: Fire in Mhadei Wildlife Sanctuary ‘under control’ after 3 days: Goa minister