Location: on the north shore
of Dona Paula Bay, Goa
Area: Total area: 1800 ha; Mandovi Centuary : 700 ha; Zuari
estuary: 900ha; Cambarjua canal: 200 ha
Altitude: Sea level
Description of site: A large estuarine complex on
the west coast of peninsular India, comprising the Zuari and Mandovi rivers,
their tributaries, and the inter connecting Cambarjua canal. They contain
90% of the mangroves of Goa. The remaining mangroves are along Chapora, Talpona,
Galgibag, and Tiracol estuaries. The estuaries are divided by extensive intertidal
mudflats and adjacent rice paddies. Panjim and Old Goa are situated within
this complex .
The estuarine complex is a central part of the coastal ecosystemof Goa. Mandovi and Zuariare perennial rivers which rise from the Western Ghats, traverse a distance of 61 km and 66 Ian, respectively, before joining the Arabian Sea at the Aguada and Marmagao Bays. The drainage of the rivers is predominantly northwest and north-northwest, following the regional trend, and east-west, coinciding with major faults, fractures, or joints. The system is influenced by inflow of seawater to a considerable distance inland. Salinity varies with the seasons: during the monsoons the inflow of fresh water increases. Zuari is the largest estuary, containing 9 ha of mangroves. The upstream region is narrow (0.5 km) and subjected to intense wave action. Mandovi estuary and Cambarjua canal have 7 ha and 2 ha of mangroves, respectively, occurring along the banks. Mandovi has greater freshwater influence than the other estuaries.
Chorao Island, which has now been declared a reserved forest and bird sanctuary, is situated in the Mandovi estuary
Climatic conditions: Humid, tropical monsoon climate.
Average annual rainfall is about 3000 mm. Temperatures vary from 21*C to 34�C
Principal vegetation: About 20 species of mangrove, predominant ones being
Rhizophora mucronata, Sonneratia alba, and Avicennia officinalis. Other dominant
species are R.apiculata, S. casiolaris, Kandelia rheedii, Bruguiera gymnorhiza,
B. parviflora, Aiegiceros corniculata, Excoecaria agalloca, Derris heterophylla,
and Acanthus illicifolius. Some species such as K.candel and S.caseolaris
are becoming rare on the west coast
Fauna: The estuary is an important spawning ground
for various crustaceans and molluscs, together with many species of fish,
the major ones being Meretrix sp., Crassotrea sp., Peneaus sp., Scylla serrata,
and Mugil cephalic. The commonly cultivated species are Penaeus monodon, Rindicus,
and Metapenaeus monoceros.
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