St. Joseph Vaz College, Cortalim Goa conducted a trip to Dr. Salim Ali Bird Sanctuary, Chorao to celebrate the “World
Wetlands Day” in collaboration with Goa State Council for Science and Technology as a part of campaign for wetland
conservation.

The trip was organized by the Department of Botany under the supervision of the Rev. Dr. Bolmax Pereira (Assistant Professor in Botany) and was attended by 47 students accompanied by 6 faculty members. Resource person for the day was Ms Alisha Pereira, Science teacher at Regina Mundi High School, Chicalim.

Salim Ali Bird Sanctuary is an estuarine mangrove habitat, which is declared as the Bird Sanctuary, and located on western tip of the island of Chorao along the Mandovi River, Goa. The sanctuary is named after Salim Ali, the eminent Indian ornithologist. His meticulous work resulted in the protection of several important bird areas in the country. This sanctuary is named in his honour.

The main motive of the trip was to create awareness of Wetlands among the college students and acquaint them with the
knowledge of different type of mangrove vegetation as well as bird and animal species and appreciate the importance of
wetland ecosystems in Goa.

After the regular classes the participants took the local transport to begin their journey and enjoyed travelling by the ferry from the Ribandar Jetty to Chorao island. Upon entering the sanctuary Mr.Yogesh Nagvekar, the guard of the sanctuary guided us in giving instructions on the way.

The sanctuary houses different types of mangroves such black mangroves, white mangroves, loop root mangroves and and other associated plants. different birds. For Instance, Students saw mangrove varities such as Rhizophora (true mangroves), Avicennia (dominant), Sonneretia, Bruggeira, Ceriops, Kandelia, Acanthus, Salvadora (meswak) and other species. Wetland birds like Egrets, Herons, Blackhead ibis, Blue Kingfishers, Cormorants, Kites, Seagulls, and even a common crow. The fiddler crabs playing at the shoreline as well as the sight of Mud skippers erecting mud mounds was a fascinating view. The boat rides by forest department motorboats in groups around the bird sanctuary provided the participants with the beauty of this coastal wetland.

We thanked the Forest guide and his team for the wonderful wetland experience around the Bird Sanctuary, followed by
serving refreshments by the local vendor from Chorao at the end of the trip.

The trip sponsored by Goa State Council for Science and Technology and organized by the Department of Botany, St.
Joseph Vaz College, was successful and was memorable indeed.