PANAJI
In a bid to further boost monsoon and river tourism, the State government has allowed the inclusion of River Mandovi for water sports activity, subject to fair weather during the rains. The recreational activities are already underway in River Sal, River Chapora, River Zuari, Dona Paula Bay, Nerul River and Sinquerim River, where permissions are sought annually.
With a notification issued last month, River Mandovi (at Diwar Island away from the main navigable channel) is an additional area identified for these activities in the monsoons.
On June 28, the Captain of Ports proposed these activities at these seven locations while inviting suggestions and objections from people residing in the respective areas, within five days. With no objections, the CoP has notified River Mandovi while allowing the water sports to continue at the other usual locations.
“Captain of Ports hereby proposes to permit Water Sports activity, confined to inland waters only and during fair weather of the monsoon. Hence notice is hereby given that the said proposal will be taken into consideration by the government on the expiry of five days from the date of publication of this Notification in the Official Gazette,” the notification had stated.
The Directorate General of Shipping, Ministry of Shipping, Mumbai had granted permissions for operators who applied for water sports activity in the inland waters of Goa from June to September 15, subject to a special survey/inspection carried out by the Ports Department with an additional fee of Rs 15,000 along with NOC from Tourism Department. This will also include fair weather to carry out the activity.
Besides holding valid licenses and insurance, the operators will also have to operate in their respective villages and from their own property to avoid any disputes and disruption of harmony. The Water Sports activities are permitted only between 9 am to 6 pm with all safety precautions in place for its visitors.
Regular water sports activities on the beaches, for which Goa is famous, are stopped during monsoon season due to rough weather conditions.
