PANAJI
The Goa government has banned a wide range of activities at tourist spots, including consuming liquor in prohibited places, breaking glass bottles, open cooking in unauthorised areas, littering, begging, unauthorised hawking, driving unauthorised vehicles on beaches, organising illegal beach parties and public urination or defecation; while warning of jail and fines from Rs 5,000 to Rs 1 lakh.
In a notification issued with immediate effect, Director of Tourism Kedar Naik declared these activities as a nuisance, stating these are likely to damage or deteriorate the tourism potential of notified tourist places across the State.
The order also empowers police officers and persons in charge of police stations to enforce the directions under Section 13 of the Goa Tourist Places Protection and Maintenance Act, 2001.
Besides prohibiting liquor consumption in areas where it is not permitted and the breaking of glass bottles, the government has also barred open cooking outside designated spaces and the dumping of waste, including used materials and empty bottles, anywhere other than authorised disposal points.
The notification also targets aggressive practices affecting tourists. It has prohibited coercing or pestering visitors to buy goods or services, obstructing their movement, unauthorised hawking, begging that causes inconvenience, and the unauthorised sale of cruise tickets, water sports packages and other tourism-related services.
The order further bans the operation of boating and water sports activities from locations other than officially permitted and demarcated zones, as well as the unauthorised sale of water sports packages for services offered outside Goa.
On beaches, the government has prohibited driving unauthorised vehicles, illegally placing deck beds, tables and other equipment without permission, occupying government beach land without authorisation, and blocking access meant for lifeguards, emergency responders, beach-cleaning vehicles and other authorised service vehicles.
The notification also outlaws the organisation of unauthorised beach parties, events and commercial activities at public tourist places.
To strengthen cleanliness measures, the order prohibits public urination, public defecation and other unhygienic practices that adversely affect the hygiene and tourism value of tourist destinations. It also bans the discharge of waste, sewage, oil, chemicals or other pollutants on government beach land.
Among other prohibited activities are unauthorised massage services at tourist places and any association with persons engaged in activities considered harmful to the tourism potential of such locations.
The notification also covers any activity involving vessels, boats, rafts or other floating objects, including oil spillages, that may endanger life, damage property or cause injury, nuisance or environmental harm in the sea, rivers or ports.
The Tourism Department said any individual, company, association or firm violating the order, or obstructing officials acting under it, will be liable to a fine of Rs 5,000, which may extend to Rs 1 lakh. Offenders may also face prosecution under Section 223 of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita, 2023, in addition to action under the Goa Tourist Places Protection and Maintenance Act.
