Bondla Wildlife Sanctuary

Bondla Wildlife Sanctuary covers roughly 8 square kilometres of Ponda taluka. Its forest is mostly deciduous, with patches of evergreen growth, and the commonest trees are matti (Terminalia crenulata, the state tree of Goa) and rosewood. Animals recorded here include gaur, sambar, leopard, sloth bear, langur, jungle cat, porcupine, wild boar, the Malabar giant squirrel and the scaly anteater, and watchtowers placed along the trails let visitors look out for them.

The sanctuary also works as a conservation centre that takes in injured and orphaned animals for care and rehabilitation. Interpretive trails, guided nature walks and a botanical garden of native plants give it an educational side, while flowering trees supply nectar and pollen to bees, butterflies and birds.