PANJIM: The recent decision of the government to keep open for public the low risk waterfalls in the State has been welcomed by tourism stakeholders.
In a statement, TTAG president Jack Ajit Sukhija said, “TTAG would like to thank the Chief Minister Pramod Sawant, Minister of Forest Vishwajit Rane, Tourism Minister Rohan Khaunte, Chairperson of the Goa Forest Development Corporation Deviya Rane, the Additional Principal Chief Conservator of Forests and Chief Wildlife Warden for giving access to waterfalls with all safeguards in place. This will ensure that the incomes of local businesses catering to such activities are sustained while also allowing locals and tourists to enjoy the natural beauty of our forests.”
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It may be recalled that Forest Minister Vishwajit Rane had said that the low risk waterfalls, will continue to be open this year with the deployment of lifeguards and forest guards but added that he will not take the responsibility of opening medium and high risk waterfalls to the public in view of several mishaps that occurred at Mainapi and other waterfalls last year.
His statement had come after Forest Department banning people from venturing into rivers and waterfalls in view of arrival of monsoon, had attracted criticism from the opposition. The opposition had claimed that the decision will hit small businessmen dependent on people visiting the falls.
