PANAJI: North Goa Collector Ankit Yadav has sought a detailed report from the Deputy Conservator of Forests over the drowning of Class 11 student at the Tonir-Kajredhat River/Waterfall in Sattari, raising questions over safety arrangements and alleged non-compliance with earlier directions.
According to the report submitted by the Sattari Deputy Collector, 23 students and four teachers from Deep Vihar Higher Secondary School, Vasco, had travelled in a private bus for trekking and had hired a private, non-local lifeguard to accompany them to the Tonir-Kajredhat area.
The incident was reported at around 12 noon on Friday, following which the Fire Station at Valpoi alerted the Taluka Disaster Management. The Sattari Mamlatdar, along with the Talathi and Circle Inspector, reached the spot at around 1.50 p.m., where Fire and Emergency Services, police, Forest Department personnel and a 108 ambulance were already present. The student's body was traced by fire personnel at around 3.10 p.m.
The Deputy Collector's report states that the waterfall falls under the jurisdiction of the Range Forest Officer, Mhadei Wildlife Sanctuary, Maloli, Sattari, and not the general jurisdiction of the Goa Forest Department.
Meanwhile, Collector Yadav has sought a detailed factual report from the Forest Department regarding the safety measures at the site. According to the Collector's letter, warning signboards had reportedly been installed by the Village Panchayat in the vicinity, but there was no barricading, no Forest Department staff or security personnel deployed at the site, and no warning signboard at the exact location of the drowning. Some warning boards were also reportedly removed by unknown persons.
Yadav has asked the Forest Department to explain why personnel were not deployed at the site, what action was taken to comply with the Collector's July 29 order on monsoon safety measures, and what steps were taken regarding warning boards, barricading, regulation of public entry and visitor monitoring.
Valpoi Police registered a negligence case against four teachers and two tour operators following the student's drowning. Police alleged that the students were taken to a wildlife area without proper permission and were allowed near the waterfall despite the risks.
