It took four drowning deaths for the wheels of State administration to begin moving. Violations that have gone unnoticed for years have been taken cognisance of after these deaths. On Sunday, Goa witnessed two deaths due to drowning at Mainapi waterfall in the remote Netravali village of Sanguem. Two deaths were reported in stone quarries at Curdi and Cansaulim on Tuesday.
The administration has opened its eyes to the stark reality surrounding waterfalls and stone quarries left open in the monsoons and has swung into action. The chief wildlife warden swiftly issued orders prohibiting people inside all wildlife sanctuaries and waterfalls until further orders and the State wildlife board decided to post lifeguards and security personnel at designated waterfalls.
Sadly, while the government has been shifting focus and promoting hinterland tourism, it has not comprehended the issues that would come with this drift. Tourists and picnickers have been crowding famous waterfalls in the remote forest areas of Goa, throwing all caution to the wind. There is uncontrolled alcohol flow, misbehaviour, eve-teasing, hooliganism, chaos and litter at waterfalls.
On Tuesday, police started patrolling the famous Bamonbudo waterfall in Gaondongrim round the clock and cited that discipline was not being maintained at such sites. The nuisance created by certain visitors had been a cause for concern prompting the deployment of a police force.
Apparently, lessons have not been learnt after the horrific case of four students drowning at a Tuem quarry in September. Last month, the Mines department instructed all lease owners to barricade stone quarries as a precaution against any untoward incidents. A compliance report was sought in 10 days. Earlier, there were plans for bio-fencing too. It took two drowning deaths in quarries to press the need to survey abandoned quarries, and the questions raised during the fateful deaths at Tuem quarry resurfaced.
Abandoned stone quarries turn to be death pits in the monsoon, with youngsters who are tempted to take a plunge for a swim failing to fathom the depths. Despite instructions, there have been no safeguards in place. The question is whether the Mines Department has ensured compliance of its directives or whether lease owners have ignored the order.
Back to the waterfalls issue, the general understanding is that the government will review the decision based on the monsoon situation and, in the meanwhile, prohibit entry to waterfalls. The onus, however, is on the government to ensure order at these sites.
If Drishti is manning beaches and saving, on average, one life daily, it speaks volumes of the need for safety apparatus on site. To the environment prevalent at popular waterfall sites, which are fast gaining popularity among those not enthused by beaches, the State needs to have some mechanism and enforcement to ensure the safety of visitors. Tourist places cannot be on 'auto-pilot' mode.
Goa's tourism still hinges mainly on alcohol and adventure, and indiscipline and other associated nuisances are bound to coexist. It depends on the State to put systems in place. The hinterland tourism environment cannot be free of alcohol, and neither can it be a free for all affair.
