PONDA: Two boards — “Outsiders Not Allowed” and “Railway Property and Non-Railway Person Prohibited to Enter Premises” — displayed by the railway authorities at the Dudhsagar Falls has upset Collem locals who apprehend that tourism at world famous site will be affected.
They said the above move will not only discourage visitors to Dudhsagar Falls but at the same time it will also affect their livelihood.
In view of the trekking season, the locals on Sunday demanded that the Forest Department allow trekking to Dudhsagar Falls as several local guides are dependent on the activity to earn their livelihood as trekkers from Goa and Maharashtra visit the world famous site.
The locals further demanded that the government relax COVID SOPs.
The locals who serve as guides to the trekkers to the waterfall said since the past few days daily around 400 people from Karnataka arrive in Goa via railway.
These rail passengers stop to catch a glimpse of the Dudhsagar Falls thereby by leaving Goan trekkers disappointed as Forest Department at Collem does not permit Goans to trek and watch the cascading effect of Dudhsagar during monsoon.
The local guides complained that they are suffering on account of this as they earn by accompanying the trekkers from Goa, Maharashtra and other states to Dudhsagar.
There are around 50 guides who have permission for trekking the visitors to Dudhsagar but at present are without jobs.
The railway officials say it has placed the boards as people create a rush on railway bridge which would prove risky when a train passes along the route.
