Inside Mollem Rainforest, Goa’s Hidden Sanctuary for Rare Birds, Reptiles & Biodiversity

By Krystelle Dsouza 29 June 2025

The next time you plan a Goa trip, don’t forget to add this rainforest to your itinerary.

We’re talking about the Bhagwan Mahavir Sanctuary and Mollem National Park, a 240 sq km protected reserve that’s an oasis of biodiversity.

Created in 1969 as the Mollem Game Sanctuary, the place was later renamed the Bhagwan Mahavir Wildlife Sanctuary.

It is now home to 722 species of flowering plants, many of which are endemic (found only in this specific region and nowhere else in the world).

Here, expect to see leopards, gaur, Indian civets, hyenas, bonnet macaques, giant squirrels, and common otters.

Birdwatchers will have a field day training their sights on the ruby-throated yellow bulbul (the state bird of Goa), the emerald dove, the paradise flycatcher, and the Malabar pied hornbill, among others.

The park is also home to scaly reptiles like the king cobra, the bronzeback tree snake, the cat snake, and the Indian rock python.

Some other attractions to pay a visit to while here: – The Tambdi Surla Temple – Dudhsagar Waterfalls – Devil’s Canyon – The Nature Interpretation Centre – Big Foot Museum – Salaulim Dam