TEAM HERALD
bureau@herald-goa.com
PONDA: The consultant appointed to prepare a detailed project report (DPR) on infrastructure development at Dudhsagar Waterfall inspected the area on Thursday.
Sanvordem MLA Ganesh Gaonkar along with officials from the Tourism department and representatives from the Dudhsagar taxi operators were also present. Gaonkar and others discussed with the consultant Muralage’s representative, Gautam Dessai, on various facilities that could be developed.
“The State government has planned to improve the infrastructure for the benefit of tourists visiting the Dudhsagar Waterfall, which comes under the Mollem National Park, and being an eco-sensitive zone, due care will be taken while undertaking infrastructure development,” said Gaonkar.
“Basic needs like a proper road, better washroom facilities and various other recreational facilities needs to be developed keeping in mind the rising number of tourists visiting the place. For Dudhsagar to be on the world map, infrastructure needs to be developed and it can become a major tourist attraction in the State,” he said.
According to information, the DPR will be tabled during a meeting of government officials to be convened towards November-end.
Meanwhile, Gaonkar informed that the State government has approved 13 applications of Sonaulim and Caranzol residents to issue taxi permit to operate their tourist taxis from Collem to Dudhsagar Waterfall.
It may be recalled that residents from Sonaulim and Caranzol in Collem, under National Park Mollem, have been demanding with the State government to issue permits as their sole livelihood, agriculture, was under threat from wild animals.
Residents requested the authorities to consider them as they were living along the route to Dudhsagar Waterfall. Presently, there are about 98 taxis plying from Collem to Dudhsagar Waterfall, a distance of about 14 kms.
