TRAVEL TALES

CAMBARJUA CANAL

LESSER KNOWN PLACES IN GOA

By Sunil Malhotra Stock Images

In our previous issue, we took you to Harvalem Falls, a less frequented spot of pristine beauty. In this issue, we bring to you yet another spot that is worth your while and lets you explore the hidden beauty of Goa.

CAMBARJUA CANAL Beaches, Forts, Water sports and Night parties are synonymous with Goa, but believe me, Goa has much more to offer and your lust for adventure can take you to several hidden gems, for you to explore and take back fond memories. CAMBARJUA Canal, Goa, is one such place where you can enjoy bird watching as also the crocodile safari in the backwaters of the canal. It is such a thriller and an amazing experience that you will never forget in your life. The serene picturesque surroundings and continuing excitement brings a heavy rush of adrenaline taking you to extremes of thrill. The trip to CAMBARJUA Canal begins with a ferry ride from the Zuari River which itself is an exhilarating experience. The cool, calm air, the picture-perfect scenic beauty around you, a sense of expectations and thrill, and the untraveled backwaters of CAMBARJUA make for a truly fascinating place in Goa. The boat rides takes approx. 1.5 hours and you will sight only beauty during this ride. The 15 km long canal connects Zuari and Mandovi, the two major rivers of Goa. It is home to mangroves, flying fish, birds and the Indian Mugger crocodiles which are quite harmless as they are used to human presence. The Cambarjua Canal is considered the main crocodile hub in Goa. The mugger crocodile which is a broad-snouted marsh crocodile and can grow as large as 4-5 meters in length has its home in Cambarjua. The males are heavier than the females. They are one of the deadliest predators but they usually do not attack humans. The third membrane in their eyes enables them to see things and keep water out of their sight.

Holes are dug by female crocodiles to lay eggs and the temperature of the nest determines the sex of the crocodile. If the temperature is around 32.5 Celsius then the crocodile will be a male and it will be a female if the temperature is between 28-31 Celsius. As the canal boasts of around 40 to 50 of these muggers, you will have ample chance to spot a few of them just lazing around by the banks.From spotting these crocs to birds and witnessing the calmness of water as you ride through the mangroves and the meandering canal are a sight to behold. It is a must-visit for the sheer beauty and the thrill involved in taking a boat ride.