Team Herald
VALPOI: Hinterland tourism has a tremendous potential in Goa and the government should focus upon the State’s natural beauty to attract more tourists, says environmentalist Rajendra Kerkar.
Kerkar said the natural beauty of the State was concealed in the hinterlands and if the government wants to lure tourists to these areas, especially in the monsoons, then the authorities have to go to the villages and develop them for promoting tourism.
“The captivating beauty of Goa lies in the hills, fields, farm houses, rivers, waterfalls etc which all spring to life during the monsoons,” said Kerkar and added that both villagers and panchayats should be taken into confidence for the purpose of village development.
Eco tourism will change the identity of rural constituencies and tourists will flock to these places.This will in turn create jobs in the rural sector,” Kerkar said and added that there were so many farm houses in Sattari and people prefer to visit such places as compared to the hustle and bustle of the beach life.
In Sattari, there around 20 waterfalls located in Mhadei wildlife Sanctuary which spring to life in the rains and could handsome revenue for the State, and would also economically uplift the village.
The Goa Tourism Development Corporation earlier had tried to develop Hinterland Tourism but failed and despite it having built some cottages in Kerim area but they are lying unused, lamented the environmentalist.
“In our Dongurlim panchayat there are around six waterfalls and we are trying our best to promote it for hinterland tourism and have already placed the proposal before the Government to develop it,” Nilesh Thanekar, former Sarpanch of Dongurlim village panchayat.
