PANJIM: In response to two recent drowning deaths at Mainapi waterfall in the remote Netravali village of Sanguem taluka, the State government has swiftly taken action by prohibiting public entry into all wildlife sanctuaries and waterfalls.
The decision comes as a precautionary measure due to heavy rainfall and increased water current in forest areas.
If you enjoyed reading this article, you can help support our journalism by adding OHeraldo as a preferred source.
Additional Principal Chief Conservator of Forest, Umakant, issued an order on Tuesday directing deputy conservators to assess the situation and submit a comprehensive report.
The tragic incident at Mainapi waterfall has raised concerns regarding visitor safety at these seasonal attractions.
“Due to continuous heavy rainfall in the State and high water current in the rivers in forest areas, entry for public inside all wildlife sanctuaries and waterfalls shall be prohibited until further orders,” Umakant said in the order.
Two persons including a LIC officer died after they were drowned in the water of Mainapi waterfall. This tragedy raised questions on the safety of visitors to these seasonal waterfalls.
Earlier, Forest Minister Vishwajit Rane informed that the department has resolved to ban access to all the waterfalls in the forest areas.
“I have asked for the report from the department accessing risk assessment of these seasonal waterfalls,” he said.
Rane said that the decision to re-open these waterfalls to the tourists/locals would be taken after reviewing the situation in the next three-four days.
He said that necessary precautionary measures would be put in place before throwing these waterfalls open to the public.
