UDAY SAWANT
VALPOI
While Goa’s famed coast takes a break from tourism during monsoons, Sattari basks in glory during the season with a growing number of visitors attracted to the numerous seasonal waterfalls in the taluka.
The large number of tourists and visitors to the many waterfalls has not only boosted tourism in the taluka, it has also benefited the economy in the region.
With heavy rains in Sattari taluka, hordes of visitors have begun frequenting the many waterfalls and rural parts of the taluka, with maximum number of visitors expected on Saturdays, Sundays and other holidays.
During peak period, the road that passes through the Chorla ghat becomes busy with vehicles, since many seasonal waterfalls are located along the route.
The Chorla ghat is home to many waterfalls, including the Vairsakala Dhabdhabo, Shree Dhabdhabo, Karavatyacho Dhabdhabo, Agavo Dhabdhabo, Gulmacho Dhabdhabo, Ghugarda Dhabdhabo, Barazan Dhabdhabo, Ladakyacho Dhabdhabo and Hularnacho Dhabdhabo.
While most visitors organise picnics around any one waterfall, others prefer a drive past the many waterfalls along the Chorla ghat.
While in Sattari, visitors also enjoy the natural beauty in Pali and other places like Shelpe Naneli.
A boom in tourism across Sattari taluka during the monsoons has promoted the economy in the region, with a growing number of people visiting Valpoi market for various requirements.
While most people visit Valpoi market to purchase beverages, snacks and other food items, others visit the market area for other essentials and services. Markets have also developed in villages which have waterfalls and other monsoon attractions.
“Monsoon tourism has created a lot of opportunities for Thane village. There are good opportunities to develop our village as tourist numbers have been on the increase over the years,” said Thane Sarpanch Sarita Gaonkar.
“Visitors planning to visit Thane in the coming days will get an opportunity to get local food prepared in the village, thereby adding to employment opportunities,” Gaonkar said.
Adding, Nagargao Sarpanch Parag Khadilkar said, “Monsoon tourism in Sattari taluka has created various self-employment employment opportunities at different levels. What is needed is government support and Nagargao village can easily develop as tourist attraction, especially during the monsoons.”
Incidentally, the large presence of vehicles and visitors has also posed a challenge to locals and authorities, amid complaints by locals of huge amounts of litter and nuisance caused by unruly visitors.
In a bid to address these concerns, authorities have banned alcohol consumption around waterfalls and will also closely monitor the disposal of waste to ensure that garbage is not strewn all over the place.
