Summer picnics a regular feature at ‘deadly’ Kodar River

PONDA: Picnics especially during the summer seem to be a regular feature at the “deadly” Kodar River.

Despite the number of drowning cases reported in the Kodar River, the site seems to attract a large number of people who especially visit the spot for picnics to beat the scorching heat.

Locals allege that the picnickers have been reportedly trespassing government-owned plantations to gain free access to the river.

When this reporter visited the Kodar River, thousands were seen at the site, with some bathing for hours with their families. Despite the number of drowning cases reported at the site, authorities seem to have no control over the visitors. Most people were seen drinking beer while enjoying their bath in the river for hours, while some were reportedly playing loud music. The Collem locals have banned visitors from bathing in the river but most avoid entering the farms and prefer the other route along the riverside.

“Picnickers have reportedly trespassed into the Government agricultural plantation by damaging the fences and gates to gain free access to the river for bathing,” an Agricultural Department official informed.

The Vaz family from Loutolim said they come to enjoy the river once a year. 

A visitor Umesh Naik, who had visited the Kodar River for bathing, said there are many farms and plantations near the river which charges fees per person as high as Rs 500 for few hours for bathing in the river and for holding a picnic. To avoid paying fees, most people trespass into the government agricultural land to gain free access to the river.

According to local Guru Naik, over 40 people have drowned in the past 12 years in the river but that has not stopped the people from visiting the spot. 

Bethora panch Prasad Prabugaonkar said most people trespass into the government property to gain access to the river. In the last 12 years many people have got drowned in the river. “We had urged the authorities to provide a guard and initiate security steps on account of the drowning cases reported here but our appeals went in vain,” he said. 

Further the picnickers are reported to have littered the place with garbage including plastic and empty bottles.