Goa’s waterfalls give enthusiasts a lot to gush about

Times News Network
Trekking To Tranquility
Located within the Netravali wildlife sanctuary, the Savari waterfall lies some 8km away from Netravali town. While it takes an hour-long trek to get to the waterfall, it is advisable to have the company of a guide if it is one’s maiden trip. The amiable locals are more than willing to help, too. But, should one choose to venture into the woods alone, it is safest to follow the ‘paim vatt’ (paths created by regular footfall).“When in doubt, always take the left,” the people of the area suggest.
Although the trek to Savari falls involves wading through a couple of rivulets and scaling slippery rocks, the end result is more than rewarding. For, no sooner does one arrive at the base of the waterfall, than the enchanting sight of the misty hills and the mesmerizing sound of the gushing water take over, uniting oneself with Mother Nature.
For those in luck, anything from black panthers, giant squirrels and bison to sambar, mouse deer and spotted deer may be within viewing distance. Leopards may also pay a visit. In fact, several locals even claim to have spotted an adult tiger on a number of occasions.
The wildlife sanctuary in which the Savari falls are nestled is even home to a myriad species of birds, bees and butterflies, making the locale a bird watcher’s haven. Adventure activities by professional trekking associations are also conducted here.
And, despite some instances of unscrupulous picnickers and trekkers marring the pristine beauty of the area by littering at various spots along the way to the Savari waterfalls, a trip to the natural marvel is a great way to unwind during monsoon weekends.
— Govind Kamat Maad
Natural Massages
Water tumbles off a mere 20-foot-high cliff at the Codal waterfall in Sattari, but visitors can revel in the pool that forms directly below it. While a few unruly ones tend to sully the water by upsetting the mud at the bottom of the pool, many others prefer standing under the small cascade for a relaxing, natural massage.
A few kilometers from the main road after Maloli and the entry point to the Mhadei wildlife sanctuary, a fork in the road leads visitors to the Chidambar temple, in the vicinity of which vehicles can be parked. Just a few minutes away, thereafter, lies this beautiful waterfall in a naturally-formed trench-like valley. It is flanked by tall, majestic trees that block direct sunlight, allowing only soft, bright rays to cut through the dense foliage, thereby imparting a sublime feel to the surroundings.
Picnickers go gaga as they step under the cascade and some inebriated men can often be seen wallowing in the water and engaging in rather detestable antics. The cool, clean water is as refreshing as it is exhilarating. A watch tower on the eastern side of the falls allows people to take in the splendor of the area without getting themselves wet.
The Codal falls flow over a slab of rock on the edge of the cliff, serving to enhance the aesthetics of the place. This overhanging rock imparts a cavernous look to the waterfall. One can spend a few hours here, soaking in both, the crisp water and the natural beauty of the area. And while the forest department has been able to control littering to a great extent, it is obvious that an augmentation of manpower would be more than welcome to keep the place clean.
— Paul Fernandes
The Namesake
Here’s a waterfall that seems to have christened the village that cradles it. Tumbling over a lateritic boulder, the Paikadev falls could easily be likened to cascading milk. It is no wonder then that the area in which it lies is called ‘Dudhal’.
Located close to the Collem railway station in the Dharbandora taluka, the waterfall – whose main source is rainwater from the Jitone area – attracts a large number of tourists. A natural cave housing the folk deity, Paikadev, also lies within its radius.
“We consider waterfalls and caves sacred since times immemorial. Though this is a natural cave, none of the village folk eat non-vegetarian food or even spit in its vicinity. Alcohol has also been prohibited. During the annual festival of Shigmo and Dhalo, various rituals are performed here. Votive clay images of horses are offered annually by devotees to the deity of Paikdev that lies in the cave,” Fati Gaonkar, 56, a resident of Dudhal said.
Chandrika Gaonkar, 67, said that as tourists began frequenting the area over the last few years, locals have had to put up with many an unwelcome experience. “Some visitors leap from the top of the falls under the influence of alcohol, while others resort to eve-teasing. Most do not maintain decorum and discipline,” she lamented.
— Rajendra Kerkar
Shrouded By Foliage
Goa’s southern-most taluka, Canacona, is blessed with several natural attractions. The Bamanbuddo falls in Gaondongorim and the Kuskem falls in Cotigao figure prominently among them.
Having remained shrouded by a dense curtain of foliage for most part, the Bamanbuddo waterfall caught the fancy of tourists roughly around a decade ago. Captivated by the sight of the cascading water, trippers began making a beeline to the falls, particularly on weekends. Locals and the village panchayat, taken aback by the increasing anarchy in a once tranquil area, had even threatened to bar entry to visitors at one stage. Now, policemen conduct patrols over the weekends and alcohol has been banned.
Former vice chairperson of the Canacona municipal council, Dilip Kenkre, claimed that 25,000 to 30,000 tourists visit the Bamanbuddo waterfall annually.
Despite the initial protests and conflicts with tourists over issues such as littering and haphazard parking, neither has the panchayat nor the government provided any of the necessary infrastructure. While sarpanch Umesh Velip said the panchayat could do little as the waterfall is situated in a forest area, Gaondongorim locals believe that proper planning could help villagers secure some form of employment.
Like the Bamanbuddo falls, Cotigao’s Kuskem waterfall also receives a deluge of 400-500 visitors on weekends. An entry fee of 20 per head has been levied by the forest department. The department had earlier invested approximately 5.40 lakh to develop the area by laying footpaths and constructing benches, toilets and changing rooms.
Cotigao sarpanch Meena Gaonkar said that the beautification of this area has led to increase in tourist footfall, thereby benefitting local shopkeepers. Gaonkar added that villagers have also begun involving themselves in the setting up of cottages to cater to those visiting this picturesque spot.
— Shubhangi Borkar
Reviving The Spring
While the monsoon does its part in turning the forested areas of Pali lush green, the one thing that villagers look forward to most is the coming alive of the Khadsingacho vazar.
Pali, a village in the foothills of Vagheri in Dongurli-Thane panchayat, is about 10km from Valpoi. A stream, locally known as Dinyachi vhali, emerges from the vegetation of Leea ondica shrubs to spill over a 12m-high rocky interface making way for a waterfall.
Delicandrone falcate is locally known as khadsingache zad and is abundantly present in the vicinity of this the waterfall, prompting the name Khadsinhacho vazar.
A few metres away is another spot where water of the seasonal stream falls from 5m high. During Shigmo, folk artistes bathe in the watering hole after Chorotsav and hence the waterfall is known as Chorachya Konicho waterfall.
— Rajendra P Kerkar
Four For One
If one wants to experience a cascade of four waterfalls in one location, then Shelop-Budruk, a village in Nagargao panchayat in Sattari, is the place for you.
While the waterfalls of Shelop-Badruk are seasonal, and at their best during the monsoon, glimpses of water from the forest springs and streams collectively tumbling from a great height, can also be seen for at least two months during the winter, mainly November and December.
Due to the poor public transportation service in Shelop-Badruk, it’s advisable to drive around in one’s own vehicle for 7km till Valpoi town. From there, follow the road to Nagargao and take the left to Bramha-Karmali. After driving for a while, and just before the small temple of Sateri-Kelbai, one will see a small pathway to the right.
Park your car, put on some trekking shoes and walk along the path, encased in greenery, for about half an hour, till you get your reward—three, small waterfalls a few metres away from each other. At the end of the hike and three waterfalls later, to the right, one will discover the main, majestic waterfall, as popular as the Vazrar waterfalls, formed through various streams which have crossed the forested areas, only to come gushing down from a height.
Manisha Gawade from Shelop-Budruk says, “Tourists from Goa and the border areas of Karnataka and Maharashtra come here, aplenty. Many of them hardly follow rules and regulations of the Mhadei wildlife sanctuary and end up throwing plastic bags, bottles and other non-biodegradable garbage in a haphazard manner.”
Locals say that instead of causing a nuisance, people who visit the waterfalls should enjoy the beautiful sight without disturbing the serenity of the area. Paresh Parab, range forest officer of Mhadai wildlife sanctuary, agrees, “This area has already been notified as a no-plastic zone. Areas like Shelop-Budruk are perfect destinations for people to enjoy the beauty of mother nature, but only if they follow decorum and discipline.”
— Rajendra P Kerkar