CoP has approved almost 1,100 applications for North and South Goa
TEAM HERALD
PANJIM: This year there has been a significant rise in the number of applications for conducting commercial water sports activities along Goa’s beach belt compared to the 2012 tourism season, with Captain of Ports (CoP) approving almost 1,100 applications for North and South Goa.
Nine hundred operators were granted NOCs by CoP last year for water sports such as banana boat rides, jet skiing, water skiing, parasailing and water scooters.
Captain James Braganza said that North Goa makes up for 65 per cent of the state’s water sports facility while South shares the balance 35 per cent.
The water sports activities dot popular beaches such as Anjuna, Calangute, Baga, Coco beach and Dona Paula in the North, while in South Majorda, Colva, Arrossim, Benaulim, Varca and Cavelosim offer water sports to tourists.
“The activities are allowed only at designated places. Strict instructions are given to the operators not to venture into swimming zones,” Braganza said.
Special inspections are carried out by CoP, tourism department and the marine police, ensuring safety of tourists before granting permissions, he elaborated.
Water sports operators have to also obtain permissions from the fisheries department and those operating parasailing activities have to seek permission from the National Institute of Water Sports (NIWS), and the tourism department.
State government, last year, formulated a policy to keep a check on erring water sports operators, following an order by the Bombay High Court. The policy makes it mandatory for operators to stop the rides by 6.30 pm or before sunset, whichever is earlier.
Operator found violating the deadline or operating in unauthorised area is to be treated as nuisance under The Goa Tourist Places (Protection and Maintenance) Act, 2001 and violators can be prosecuted under Section 10 of the Act, according to the policy. While the Goa Tourism Development Authority is the implementation authority, the CoP looks after the safety standards.
