Goa has something for everyone with every season and the monsoons are the ideal time for nature
lovers. This year, the state had one of its wettest monsoons; the bad weather
made it difficult for nature lovers and picnickers to venture out but the fag
end of the season, which also saw quite a bit of rain, was a good time to
experience Goa at its greenest.
Venturing into the hinterlands of Goa has
a thrill of its own; the thickly forested roads, fresh air and overall openness
are refreshingly delightful. Also, depending on who is guiding you and how much
legwork you are willing to put it, the options of virgin waterfalls and little
pockets of nature are limitless.
We decided to visit one of the averagely
popular waterfalls of Goa – Kuskem – in the verdant taluka of Canacona. We made
our way to Canacona past somnolent villages. Goa is beautiful post the
monsoons; the land is freshly scrubbed from the pounding rain, and the trees
and plants bristling with new life a simple yet beautiful experience.
Our first stop was at a tea shop at Chaudi, where we halted for
a breakfast of puri bhaji and cutting chai. As we proceeded, we came across a
number of beautiful temples, many of them hidden in secluded places of
picturesque villages.
We drove down to Cotigao Village off NH17. The best landmark of
the place is, of course, the Cotigao Wildlife Sanctuary. On entering the
designated area, you meet the forest guards and buy your entry ticket of Rs 20
for adults and Rs 10 for students. A beautiful walk through the cashew
plantation and thick forest vegetation is exciting and a good way to shed a few
calories and digest your breakfast.
The uphill trek is the shortest way out to reach the spectacular
waterfall. It is a perfect place to unwind. Kuskem is one of the most beautiful
and calm waterfalls of Goa and the trip to such a waterfall will influence
freshness in you, wiping away your fatigue. Among the hills at the far end of
Goa’s forests near the Karnataka border, the Kuskem waterfall is a spectacular
sight. It sort of plays hide and seek with you as you approach it. It’s really
great to watch the white lacy water that flows from a spectacular height,
creating soul-satisfying music. The natural lake of Kuskem waterfall is an
ideal place for picnics.
It attracts tourists and adventure lovers year-round from all
over the world. Kuskem waterfall is in its full splendour during the monsoon.
Schools, environmentalists, nature and adventure lovers trek here often. People
who are looking for a tranquil place on their trip to Goa must visit this calm
and beautiful waterfall. Photographers would find this place interesting as the
place offers scenic views to capture.
The
waterfall can be visited on the way to the Cotigao Wildlife Sanctuary, which is
the state’s second-largest. A superb trek from the sanctuary to the waterfall,
this trek offers viewing of an abundance of flora and fauna, including various
snakes, frogs and lizards. The rare Malabar Gliding Frog and its nesting sites
are among other treasured finds in this area. The region is covered with dense
trees, with some of the tallest being about 30m high. Forest Department
eco-cottages are there for you to spend a day or two in tranquillity.
