Unexpectedly in July we are experiencing a ‘fall season’ in Goa! A few falls are desirable and many simply unwelcome. While we anxiously waited for prices of the much loved ‘culinary compulsion’ called tomato to fall, it kept rising along the trajectory of Chandrayan launch vehicle. Yet we stayed cheerful abiding by the spirit of nationalist pride, for anything that rises here must be celebrated with collective euphoria; be it a rocket or cost of living!
With changing weather in Goa, the viruses flourish and many of us ‘fall sick’ and the ‘footfall’ of patients with running noses and congested chests rises at clinics to the envy of Salman Bhai’s swelling diehard fan crowd at the ticket windows for his Eid releases.
We prayed in the privacy of our hearts and heads (mouths sealed though) that the rising tensions camouflaged with hero worship of historical figures, ‘fall faster’ than time taken by the ink to dry in FIRs filed. But in motivated and orchestrated idolization, pure sentiments and prayers have little value.
FLOODS & COLLAPSES
Saxtti prayed together for the water levels to ‘fall’, following inundation of the stretch of western bypass that we all have been pressing the government to be built on stilts. While stilts allow for unhindered drainage, prevent flooding and save paddy fields; this simple truth does not seem to be ‘falling in place’ among our much loved home grown engineering brigade and centrally deputed experts from dusty and dry Delhi, who regaled by our State-sponsored hospitality and mesmerizing monsoons soon start scouting for a second home in Goa.
A good rainfall after a much delayed start to this year’s monsoon, and the predicted deficit for the state getting corrected was a relief. The incessant rain and dampness have ushered in perfidious slippery surfaces, and slipshod individuals have been ‘falling’ and proving that Newton’s law of gravity still holds good in Goa amidst rising lawlessness. The façade of the heritage building housing the state run urban health centre in Margao too ‘fell’ prompting shifting of operations to another heritage pride of Salcete and an emblem of historical public health care system in Goa, the good old Hospicio.
And the ‘fall season’ continued with its latest casualty three days ago, with the entire slab of the open air auditorium of Kala Academy crashing down to the agony of those who cherished this iconic structure in all its glory. As the slab came crashing down, offering a backdrop to the opposition to stand in front and indulge in sarcasm and criticism, the history connoisseur ‘fell flat’ along with his terribly misplaced analogy of ‘Taj Mahal being constructed without tenders’ and hence standing firm and tall amidst climate change; braving sun, moon and the rain. The raucous and ruthlessly aggressive opposition must offer a benefit of doubt that the fallen part had perhaps turned structurally ‘tender’ over a period of time.
And of course the crowning glory among the multitudes of ‘gushing falls’ in this season is a waterfall that we Goemkars fear we may lose with diversion of Mhadei, and all those from neighboring states simply get mesmerized with and pulled towards when the milky waters gush, spray and crash in cascades along the steep ravine of Western Ghats from a height of 1017 feet!
In a bizarre turn of events, days after the Forest Minister announced a well intended plan to promote waterfall tourism across the state to leverage revenue from monsoon tourism and promote local economy; ‘curtains fell’ on this proposal with the unfortunate drowning of two visitors at waterfalls in the precincts of Netravali Wildlife sanctuary, and the department banning entry to waterfalls in protected areas.
DUDHSAGAR TURMOIL
This restriction was rushed and the repercussion rapid. Crowds of Dudhsagar enthusiasts unaware of the diktat were stopped by the Railway Protection Force and forest officials from reaching the waterfalls by walking on the railway treks. And we are a country where restrictions trigger resistance. When thousands of youngsters high on expectations and craving for thrill were arbitrarily deprived of the Dudhsagar experience, the frustrations transformed the intended tourists into an abusive and stone pelting mob.
Curiously a video went viral of a stick-wielding RPF man orchestrating synchronous ‘sit-ups’ among the trekkers. This conscientious man in uniform must be lauded for his valour for sure, for it is not easy to pitch a single cane against a shower of basalt stones pelted by the mob; additionally the trekkers must be grateful to that lone soldier for exercising their calf muscles. A suspicion also crept in my mind whether this man had a ‘lateral entry’ into the force from some closed down school in rural Goa due to ‘falling enrollment’, where he previously served as a cane wielding mentor!
ECOLOGICAL CONCERN
When Manohar Parrikar chaired the state wildlife board, I had worked as a member of expert committee appointed to explore a sustainable tourism model for Dudhsagar waterfalls by limiting the number of jeeps ferrying tourists through the protected area. However, in the last one decade the proposed number was debated, refuted and revised. Many more expedient experts have been roped in to echo the political desire of more jeeps, rather than safeguard ecology of the wilderness and ensure sustainability of this natural area tourism.
If we are serious about waterfall tourism, revenue cannot be the focus alone. Visitor sensitization, planning, management and monitoring are the key pillars of any safe and successful natural area tourism. Values, attitudes, travel motivation and behaviour of tourists must be integrated in ecotourism models to avert situations like the one we witnessed in Dudhsagar. Those who eye revenue must also be familiar with the litany of negative impacts of excessive tourism such as overcrowding, overdevelopment, pollution, disturbance to wildlife and vehicle use.
If we pay no heed to these regulatory interventions, our already vulgarized ecotourism assets will go “A-tishoo A-tishoo, we all fall down!”
