A group of 29 tourists from Karnataka was detained by the Forest Department after they were found trespassing into a restricted waterfall zone near Surla in North Goa, officials said on Friday.
The visitors had entered the Jalavani waterfall area, which falls within the ecologically sensitive Mhadei Wildlife Sanctuary, despite a clear ban on public entry. Authorities said the region has been declared off-limits due to serious safety concerns and to protect its fragile ecosystem.
Forest officials intercepted the group and took them to Valpoi for verification and questioning after confirming that none of them had the mandatory permissions to enter the restricted zone. Many of those detained were students from Belagavi and nearby areas.
After completing the necessary formalities, the group was released later in the day with a strict warning. The Forest Department cautioned that stringent legal action will be taken against anyone violating entry restrictions in the future, especially as social media continues to promote unsafe and illegal visits to prohibited locations.
Officials reiterated that such unauthorised entries not only endanger lives but also pose a serious threat to wildlife and the natural habitat inside the Mhadei Wildlife Sanctuary.
