Enjoy waterfalls without taking risk
In order to enhance the popularity of Goa’s hinterland, it is learnt that the forest department in collaboration with the Goa Forest Development Corporation is planning to develop waterfall circuits within forest areas by engaging local communities. This will obviously provide nature lovers an opportunity to explore breathtaking waterfalls nestled in scenic landscapes of the Western Ghats. However for the adventurous type who would like to take a dip at the base of the waterfall it can prove very dangerous.
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Tragedy reportedly struck a group of picnickers on Sunday as a man drowned while another person was feared drowned in Mainapi waterfall in Netravali in Sanguem taluka. There have been several drowning incidents reported at the waterfalls, especially during the rainy season when these waterfalls are in full flow. Safety is absolutely necessary when one visits a waterfall.
One should not swim near the area where the waterfall hits the plunge pool. Churning currents called hydraulics can trap a person under water. Colliding with rocks and drowning from not being able to get up to the surface in time is just one of the potentially fatal risks involved. Warning signs need to be put up at the waterfalls, dissuading visitors to take a dip in the water at the base of the waterfall. There are very few sights more beautiful than a waterfall in full flow. They should be enjoyed without taking any personal risk.
Adelmo Fernandes, Vasco
A sustainable tourism model for Goa
Two people who had gone to enjoy a picnic at Netravali recently lost their lives in the swirling waters of the Mainapi waterfall. It is observed that at many tourist spots and beaches, despite signboards and lifeguards warning tourists not to venture into deep waters/rough seas, many foolhardy visitors do so to get those elusive macho selfies for their social media feeds or for plain showboating.
It is learnt that the GTDC is planning for purportedly sustainable ‘monsoon tourism’ woven around waterfalls in the forest areas of the Western Ghats. In the six wildlife sanctuaries and the sole national park, nature camping sites, night trekking and animal safaris are being envisaged besides a host of various other activities.
Our forest minister Vishwajit Rane is pretty gung ho about such schemes citing the Gujarat model often to justify hinterland tourism activities. Gujarat at 1,96,000 sq kms area, which is 53 times the land area of Goa (which is a measly 3700 sq kms). The former can sustain large tourism operations unlike our small state. The one size fits all approach cannot be adopted for any kind of planning model.
Goa as it is, is already overrun with visitors throughout the year, so why increase the number of tourists, since it can destroy the fragile ecosystem and biodiversity in our forests. These areas should be left untouched. Infact the govt should be mulling over deterrence measures for rampant tourism rather than opening up more areas for visitors to invade and overwhelm. The state has far exceeded its carrying capacity in tourism and this proposed expansion of tourism activities would sound the death knell for Goa. Are the politicians listening ??
Vinay Dwivedi, Benaulim
Don’t fall prey to any frauds or scams
Recently, there has been a spate of criminals and fraudsters using scams to entice innocent people to part with their hard earned money. Today, with the increasing number of frauds and scams, it is crucial to be cautious on such things.
Always conduct thorough research and verify the legitimacy of any such frauds or scams before committing your funds. What is even more distressing is that scammers are constantly inventing new ways to deceive people. Therefore, even if someone is aware of a particular scam, the emergence of new scams often confuses people, causing them to fall victim to these cyber frauds. One such scam that is currently on the rise is the courier or parcel scam. A Bengaluru student is the latest to fall prey to the courier scam and was duped of Rs 1.34 lakh. The accused in the courier scam pose as police officials and CBI officers and target youth by telling them that a courier or parcel with illegal items has been sent in their name and warning them of action if they do not pay up. People should be beware of such scams. Don’t fall into such traps.
K G Vilop, Chorao
Punishment for heinous crimes
This has reference to the report ‘One held for assaulting, forcing dalit man to lick slippers in U.P’ (O Heraldo July 10, 2023).
How different are we human beings, from the cannibals? How different is our behaviour? How different is our thought process from them? Looking at couple of recent incidents in the country it seems like human beings seem to have lost their sensibilities, their power of thinking. How else does one explain a man urinating on ànother human being, who happened to be a tribal, in M P? And now in the same state, a man has forced a dalit to lick his slippers. And what about the horrific crimes of people killing other human beings, chopping them into pieces and disposing the parts off in gunny bags. I think we have seen enough. All such crimes must be viewed seriously, and the strongest of punishment must be meted out to the criminals. Only then perhaps, we would see some semblance of sanity in human beings. We believe, all human beings are created in the image of God. It is fitting therefore, that we treat all human beings as humans beings. Period!
Melville X D’Souza, Mumbai
Let’s do it for Manipur
While most of us feel very much for the suffering people of Manipur, the Archdiocese of Bangalore has gone one step ahead and offered refuge and support to some of the students and youth displaced in the ethnic violence that has engulfed the small state. The students and youth have been offered hostel facilities and assistance in securing jobs and admission to colleges. Diocesan schools will give admission to high school students who are displaced.
Our larger parishes can offer similar assistance, with the Archdiocese of Goa coordinating with the Archdiocese of Imphal which covers the entire state of Manipur. To be more specific larger parishes can support around one to two or more students/youth each by renting them a flat. I am very confident that if an appeal is made, parishioners will rise to the occasion. Some part of the Community Maintenance Fund (CMF) may also be utilized for the purpose. Parishioners would be happy to contribute more, if they know that the donation is being given to a specific good cause such as Manipur.
Robert Castellino, Calangute /Mumbai
