Team Herald
VASCO: Environment and Forest Minister Rajendra Arlekar on Monday stated that the government has decided to allow 100 more vehicles to ferry tourists to Dudhsagar waterfall through the forest area. The decision was taken after considering the fact that many tourists have to leave without visiting the waterfall due to the restriction on the number of vehicles permitted inside the forest area.
Arlekar stated that there are 431 jeeps for ferrying tourists to the waterfall, but only 225 are permitted to ply through the forest daily. He said, “Many tourists face disappointment as the number of tourist compared to the number of vehicles permitted is mismatching. Recently, there was chaos when suddenly hundreds of people came down to visit the waterfall, but due to restrictions many had face disappointment. Considering, this we have decided to give permission to at least 100 more vehicles operated by the locals.”
Commenting on his plans for developing the hinterlands, Arlekar said, “Goa’s hinterland undoubtedly has very high potential to attract large number of tourists. We should have developed our hinterlands by now. Anyways, I have decided to make sure that whatever sites in forest area/wildlife sanctuary that have high potential to attract tourists will be developed in phases. To begin with, I have decided to develop Dudhsagar waterfall by providing tourist amenities at this site. Similarly, we have plans to develop Bondla zoo, Dr Salim Ali bird sanctuary and other such sites. All this will be done within the rules and acts concerning the environment and forest.”
