Team Herald
PANJIM: To capture that perfect ‘Insta moment’, domestic tourists embarking on photography sessions, have disturbed the peace of the once serene ‘Latin Quarters’ by flying drones, dirtying the walls of houses and littering garbage in Fontainhas, leading to verbal and physical confrontations with the residents.
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Fontainhas, the picturesque hub of Portuguese-style architecture, has been drawing hordes of tourists from far and wide.
Residents of the Latin Quarters say they are not against tourists or clicking of photographs, but they are against those who display indiscipline behaviour. Despite “No Photography” signboards, the domestic tourists in particular often disregard community concerns and privacy in pursuit of the perfect shot.
Anil Kumar Rivonkar, a local resident, said, “The tourists have made the walls of our houses dirty. We have no issue with them clicking pictures, but the issue arises when they dirty the walls and also dump garbage. Sometimes students also come. There is the issue of noise as well. At times it is unbearable. However, when it becomes unbearable I tell them to be quiet or I will contact the police. One has to appreciate foreign tourists for their disciplined behaviour. There is no need to tell them to behave properly. Till date, I have not witnessed any incident of a foreign tourist behaving rudely and most of them are very polite. It is not that all domestic tourists are bad, but most do not know how to behave. The problem will be sorted out if there is police patrolling in the area, especially during peak hours.”
“The tourist guides too should advise the tourists on the dos and don’ts, what is right and what is wrong. Tourist guides have failed in this regard. They release tourists like a herd of animals,” Rivonkar complained.
Clifton Afonso, another resident of the area, said, “We have put up posters asking people not to take photographs is not because we are against photography. The kind of crowd visiting Fontainhas does not know how to click photographs and that is the reason we have put up banners asking not to click photographs. They stand in the middle of the road, scream, shout, right from morning till late evening. They put their legs on the wall and enter the houses. Imagine what the residents are going through. Everyone is fed up. It is a terrible and complete invasion of privacy.”
Afonso said, “We have spoken to a lot of authorities. The problem is people coming individually. When they come here, they do not behave responsibly. They think this area is like Calangute or Baga where they can scream or shout.”
Vasco Savio Dias, another resident said, “It is not a good site for us especially because it is a heritage area. We are compelled to do this because the tourists do not listen to us. We tell them that it is a heritage area and they should maintain discipline. But they disturb the peace and serenity of the place. They get into your property, barge into your house. They conduct photography sessions and fly drones. This poses a security threat to the residents. They come in groups and that too in the afternoon. Not only that. They litter the place. They come, leave garbage behind and throw bottles. They come with vehicles and park in the lanes and in front of people’s residences. This is another problem. When questioned they say that it is nowhere written that you cannot park. They argue with us. It is okay that tourism be promoted but it should be quality tourism.”
However, Corporation of the City of Panaji (CCP) Deputy Mayor Sanjeev Naik said that around 4-5 wardens are to be appointed to deal with the issue by April this year.
“A decision has been taken. The tendering process is in progress. They will be appointed by next month. Around four or five wardens will be deployed there and further decisions will be taken based on the response we get,” he said.
