VALPOI
Stating that the Tonir-Kajredhat waterfall in Sattari, where a student had drowned on Friday, is not an officially recognised tourist destination and has been declared out of bounds for visitors, the forest department has maintained that the question of providing tourist safety infrastructure does not arise at a prohibited site.
Asked to comment on a detailed report sought by North Goa Collector Ankit Yadav from the forest department in connection with the tragedy, senior forest officials clarified that the Tonir-Kajredhat waterfall has been completely closed to tourists and that it lies within the Mhadei Wildlife Sanctuary, making entry without permission illegal.
According to senior officials, a prohibition notice had already been issued, and warning signboards had been installed in the area through local village panchayats. Information regarding the entry ban was therefore publicly available, they said.
Officials stated that despite the prohibition, some visitors have been accessing the waterfall through unauthorised forest routes.
Since the site is completely closed to tourists, the question of establishing tourist safety infrastructure, deploying rescue personnel, or providing visitor facilities does not arise, they added.
The department also confirmed that it would submit a detailed response to the District Collector, including information on the prohibition order, warning signboards, sanctuary regulations, and the relevant legal provisions.
Officials further stated that adequate precautions, monitoring, signage, and safety arrangements are in place at waterfalls within the Mhadei Sanctuary that have been officially opened to tourists. They, however, said the Tonir-Kajredhat waterfall was never officially opened for tourism.
The forest department has previously registered cases against several individuals who attempted to visit prohibited waterfalls within the sanctuary. Unauthorised entry into a wildlife sanctuary is an offence under forest and wildlife laws, and legal action is taken in such cases.
Describing the drowning incident on August 7 as extremely unfortunate, officials confirmed that criminal cases have been registered against the teachers and tour guides involved for unauthorised entry, negligence, and violations of applicable legal provisions.
Senior officials also stated that stricter enforcement of prohibition orders and sanctuary entry regulations will be undertaken in the future.
They said action will be intensified against persons using unauthorised forest routes to access prohibited waterfalls and restricted tourist locations.
The department is also considering increased patrolling, stronger access control, and closer coordination with local authorities.
