Dudhsagar happens to be one of the most scenic waterfalls in the country. It’s view from the train as it crosses the bridge over the cascading waterfalls is indeed breathtaking.
Every year thousands of tourists and adventure lovers come to have a glimpse of the spectacle. The waterfall is at its glorious best when it is in full flow which happens during the monsoon season. But unfortunately now all of a sudden the authorities concerned have taken a decision to stop people from visiting the Dudhsagar waterfalls. Which has created concern among the locals of Collem and visitors to the water falls (Herald July 26).
It is understood that last week thousands of visitors who got down at the Dudhsagar railway station were not allowed to visit the waterfalls by the authorities.
Incidentally the site has only two access routes. One is the forest road that is closed till October and the other route is the railway that is open throughout the year. The reason cited for the ban is the number of drowning incidents that have taken place at the waterfall. This can hardly be considered a genuine reason for stopping the people from visiting the waterfall.
If the same logic is applied then all the beaches in the state will have to be closed because of the number of drowning incidents that take place in the sea. What is the need of the hour is to provide safety measures to the visitors to the waterfall. Sign-boards need to be put up warning the visitors of the dangers of entering the water.
Just like there are lifeguards on the beaches, security personnel need to be posted at the waterfall to see that no one enters the water where there is danger lurking. Stopping people from visiting the famous waterfall can have a negative impact on tourism in the state. It will also affect the livelihood of the locals of Collem who depend on the tourism-related activities at the waterfall to earn their daily bread.
People should be allowed to visit the famous Dudhsagar waterfalls after putting all precautionary measures in place. The Goa government needs to look into the matter urgently.
