Goa’s Mhadei and Netravali wildlife sanctuaries has now got separate ranges as the state government has created new ranges for the 2 sanctuaries which according to the additional principle chief conservator of forests Dr Shashi Kumar will facilitate in "intensive management" of the areas.
The Netravali wildlife sanctuary range will have its headquarters at Netravali and Mahadei's headquarters at Valpoi city. The jurisdiction of Netravali wildlife sanctuary and range has been transferred from deputy conservator of forest, South Goa, to deputy conservator of forests, wildlife sanctuary & Ecotourism, South Goa.
The government has also bifurcated the existing wildlife and eco-tourism divisions into 2. Accordingly, 3 wildlife sanctuaries - Mahadei, Bhagwan Mahaveer and Bondla besides Dr Salim Ali bird sanctuary (Chorao) and Bhagwan Mahavi national park will come under wildlife and eco-tourism (North) division with headquarters in Panaji. The other division - wildlife and eco-tourism (South) division will consist of 2 wildlife sanctuaries -Netravali and Cotigao. According to the notification, the bifurcation is done mainly to maintain better administration and management.
While the Cotigao Wildlife Sanctuary is located in the Canacona taluka (or South Goa district) of Goa, the Netravali sanctuary is situated in the Sanguem Taluka in Eastern Goa.
