About Salim Ali Bird Sanctuary
The Dr. Salim Ali Bird Sanctuary is one of Goa's finest ecological treasures, nestled on the western tip of Chorao Island along the tranquil waters of the Mandovi River. Spanning roughly 1.8 square kilometers of dense estuarine mangrove forest, this wildlife haven is named in honor of Dr. Salim Ali, India’s legendary 'Birdman'.
Visitors can navigate through the intricate network of water channels aboard small motorboats or explore dedicated paved boardwalks surrounded by mangrove species such as Rhizophora and Avicennia. The sanctuary serves as a vital breeding ground and shelter for resident as well as migratory species. Here, birdwatchers can spot brilliant Kingfishers, Western Reef Herons, Striated Herons, Black Bitterns, Little Cormorants, and Eurasian Spoonbills.
Beyond its rich avian population, the unique intertidal muddy habitat teems with fascinating estuarine fauna, including mudskippers, fiddler crabs, otters, and occasionally marsh crocodiles basking along the riverbanks.
History
Established in 1988 by the Forest Department of Goa, the sanctuary was created to protect the fragile mangrove ecosystems of Chorao Island from urban encroachment and unsustainable fishing activities.
The reserve was officially dedicated to Dr. Salim Moizuddin Abdul Ali (1896–1987), whose pioneering ornithological surveys across India laid the foundation for modern bird conservation in the subcontinent. Recognizing the island's unique position as a brackish water wetland created by tidal river movements, conservationists prioritized the area to preserve its function as a natural nursery for fish and a refueling stop for migratory birds traveling along the Central Asian Flyway.