The Mandovi river comprises an intricate system of wetlands, tidal marshy area and cultivated paddy fields...
The total area of mangroves along this river and the Cumbarjua canal is 900 hectares. Mandovi and the backwaters in the hinterland are governed by regular tides which go beyond Ganjem in Ponda. This river serves 296 villages in Tiswadi, Bardez, Sanguem, Bicholim and Ponda.
The Khandepar river in the south and the Mapusa river in the north are important tributaries of river Mandovi in Goa. In fact, the Khandepar river enters Goa through the Castlerock heights and plunges down as the Dudhsagar waterfalls.
The Mapusa river originates in the dense mixed forest of Dumacem and Amthane, flows southwards for 26 kms to join Mandovi at Penha de Franca (Bardez). There is a church on the riverbanks built on the property of one Ana de Azavedo who was a devotee of Nossa Senhora de Penha de Franca.
In the upper reaches of the Sattari valley, this river is called the Mhadei (meaning Great Mother) which flows for about 20 kms westwards reaching a point of confluence with the Khandepar river at Bembol (Bicholim) from where it is called Mandovi till it meets the Arabian sea ahead of Panaji.
The Mandovi river is recently in news due to garbage dumping by offshore casinos which is adversely affecting the marine life and slowly fueling the rise to water-borne diseases.
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On 07 July 2010, at 05:50, Marcelina said:
That was very thoughtful and a great way to learn and know Goa's history.