Goa government reopens waterfalls to public
By Prajakta Patil
In response to recent drowning incidents at waterfalls located within wildlife sanctuaries in Goa, after a week-long ban on public entry to these areas, the Goa government on 19 July 2023 reopened access to some low-risk waterfalls. The decision comes with increased safety measures to protect visitors and the surrounding wildlife.
To ensure the safety of visitors, the government has deployed lifeguards and forest guards in the vicinity of the waterfalls. Additionally, they have issued instructions to the public in the form of Do's and Don'ts to be followed while visiting these areas. Entry tickets have been made mandatory for those intending to visit the waterfalls.
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| Dudhsagar Waterfalls in Goa © The Draft |
The Chief Wildlife Warden Umakant in a public notice issued has informed public about the opening of these low-risk waterfalls located in Mhadei Wildlife Sanctuary, Bhagawan Mahaveer Wildlife Sanctuary, Netrawali Wildlife Sanctuary and Cotigao Wildlife Sanctuary with immediate effect.
The waterfalls that have been reopened for public access include Pali, Hivrem, Charvanem, Golauli, Gunguldem, Chidambaram, Naneli, Ukaichee Khade, Kumthal, Madiyani-Gululem, BhandhavoiloVazar-Caranzol and Khadee-Gululem in Sattari taluka, while Maida in Collem, Bhati in Natravali and Kuske in Cotigao.
In light of the recent incidents and to ensure the safety of both visitors and wildlife, the Forest department has prohibited the carrying of liquor or alcohol and entry in an intoxicated state into the wildlife sanctuaries. The use of music players or loudspeakers has also been banned to prevent disturbance to the wild animals.
A significant incident that prompted these measures occurred on 16 July when hundreds of tourists were found walking along railway tracks near the picturesque Dudhsagar waterfalls, despite the ban on visiting waterfalls inside wildlife sanctuaries. The tourists were stopped by officials of the Railway Protection Force (RPF) and the forest department. A video of the incident had also gone viral on social media.
To prevent similar occurrences and promote safety, South Western Railway issued an advisory against walking along railway tracks and urged tourists to enjoy the beauty of the waterfalls from within their train coaches. The act of walking on or along tracks is not only dangerous but also an offence under the Railway Act. De-boarding at Dudhsagar or any other station along Braganza Ghat was also prohibited.
Following heavy rains, some roads leading to the waterfalls had been closed, prompting trekkers and tourists to take trains that passed near the area. However, they claimed to be unaware of the recent ban on visiting waterfalls in the state.
The decision to reopen access to low-risk waterfalls in wildlife sanctuaries comes after the Forest Department had prohibited public entry to these areas due to heavy rains and the occurrence of drowning incidents in the state on 11 July 2023.
Moreover, after two men drowned at Mainapi waterfalls in South Goa, the district had issued an advisory asking people to avoid entering water bodies during the monsoon season.
The State government's decision to reopen entry to select waterfalls while implementing safety measures aims to strike a balance between promoting tourism and ensuring the well-being of visitors and wildlife in these ecologically sensitive areas.
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