MARGAO
Asserting the Dudhsagar waterfall is not a designated tourist point, except for authorised personnel of police, railways, Forest Department and other government officials on duty, South Goa District Collector, Asvin Chandru, IAS has imposed a complete ban on the entry of tourists, trekkers and all other persons to the Dudhsagar waterfall (at or near the railway bridge/ Dudhsagar railway station) either by trekking/ by train/ walking along the track.
The ban on the entry of tourists and trekkers at Dudhsagar comes in the wake of incidents of drowning and missing tourists at Dudhsagar and during attempts at trekking along the railway track and other routes in the past, especially during monsoon season.
Saying this poses danger to tourists and locals who visit the waterfall due to rugged and difficult terrain, the Collector said it is imperative to take immediate preventive measures to prevent drowning or any untoward incidents in the region.
Exercising powers conferred under Sections 30 & 34 of Disaster Management Act, 2005, the District Collector said visitors shall be allowed to enter the Base of the Dudhsagar waterfall area through prescribed routes only with permit/tickets purchased from designated entry points by Forest Department.
The directions mandate visitors to follow prescribed safety rules and regulations issued by Forest Department and also to avoid any disturbance to wildlife in the national park.
The Collector has ordered setting up of Joint Check Posts at all four railway stations in the vicinity -- Collem, Castle Rock, Sonaulim and Caranzole -- comprising of police personnel, RPF personnel and forest officials on rotation basis to restrict entry of any unauthorised persons towards the waterfall area.
The Sr Divisional Engineer, South Western Railway has been directed to erect a proper barricade on the railway bridge at Dudhsagar preventing access to the tourists and to erect multilingual display boards/ signage in (English, Hindi, Konkani, Marathi, Kannada etc.) at the waterfall area, along the railway track and at adjoining railway stations to deter visitors/tourists from entering the area.
Similarly, the Divisional Security Commissioner RPF, shall post RPF personnel on duty round the clock at the waterfall area and also carry out regular patrolling in coordination with forest officials along the Dudhsagar railway bridge, railway track, nearby railway stations and register offences in case of breach of this Order.
The Divisional Security Commissioner RPF has been further directed to ensure that sufficient RPF personnel are deployed in the trains moving along the Ghat section to prevent persons trying to de-board the train near Dudhsagar.
Given the large number of tourists visiting the state during monsoons, the Department of Tourism has been directed to ensure that the tourists visiting Goa are made aware of the ban order through adequate publicity via Press and Social Media and also devise a plan for Rail Tourism in the region in coordination with forest and railways taking into consideration all safety precautions.
CCTV cameras are also mandated at all four railway stations -- Collem, Castle Rock, Sonaulim, Caranzole -- and on-site at Dudhsagar for effective surveillance.
The Goa Energy Development Agency (GEDA) has been told to assist railways in installing solar station and battery bank at Dudhsagar to facilitate the setting up of CCTV surveillance system on site.
The Collector has warned that any person contravening this Order or obstructing any officer or employee in the discharge of his functions or refusing to comply with any directions given under this act shall be liable for punishment under section 188 of the Indian Penal Code and sections 51 to 60 of the Disaster Management Act, 2005.
