MARGAO/PONDA: The South Goa District Magistrate (DM) and Collector Asvin Chandur has issued an order implementing a complete ban on tourist, trekker, and public entry to Dudhsagar waterfall due to drowning incidents and visitors going missing in the area.
The DM stated, “There shall be a complete ban for the entry of tourists, trekkers, and all other persons to the Dudhsagar waterfall (at or near the railway bridge/ Dudhsagar railway station) either by trekking/by train/walking along the track as it is not a designated tourist point except for authorised personnel of Police, Railways, Forest department, and other government officials on duty.”
However, visitors will be allowed to enter the base of the Dudhsagar waterfall area through prescribed routes with permits/tickets purchased from designated entry points by the Forest Department. They must strictly follow the rules and regulations issued by the Forest Department for their safety and to avoid disturbing wildlife in the National Park.
To enforce the ban, joint check posts will be set up at Collem, Castle Rock, Sonaulim, and Caranzole railway stations. These posts will comprise police personnel, Railway Protection Force (RPF) personnel, and forest officials on a rotational basis round the clock.
The DM also instructed the Senior Divisional Engineer of South Western Railway to erect a proper effective barricade on the railway bridge at the Dudhsagar waterfall, preventing access to tourists. Multilingual display boards/signage in English, Hindi, Konkani, Marathi, Kannada, etc, will be placed in the waterfall area, along the railway track, and at adjoining railway stations to deter visitors. The Divisional Security Commissioner of RPF is directed to post personnel round the clock at the Dudhsagar Waterfall area and carry out regular patrolling in coordination with the Forest Department. Offences will be registered in case of any breach of this order.
To enhance surveillance, CCTV cameras will be installed at all four railway stations and on-site at Dudhsagar waterfall. The Goa Energy Development Agency (GEDA) will assist Railways in setting up a solar station and battery bank at Dudhsagar waterfall for the CCTV surveillance system.
Chandru added, “Any person contravening this order or obstructing any officer or employee in the discharge of his functions or refusing to comply with any directions given under this act shall be liable for punishment under Section 188 of the IPC and Sections 51 to 60 of the Disaster Management Act, 2005.”