Panaji: Goa Forest department on Tuesday issued circular banning access to the general public to all the waterfalls in its area, following death due to drowning reported at Sanguem taluka in South Goa on Sunday.
Two persons had died after they were drowned in the waters of Mainapi Waterfall at Sanguem taluka. The tragedy had raised questionmark on the safety of visitors at these seasonal waterfalls.
State Forest Minister Vishwajit Rane said that his department, on Tuesday, had resolved to ban access to all the waterfalls in the forest areas. “I have asked report from senior forest department official accessing risk assessment of these seasonal waterfalls,” he said.
Rane said that the decision on re-opening these waterfalls to the tourists would be taken in next three-four days after going through the report. “We will open up these waterfalls by undertaking all the precautionary measures including lifeguards,” the minister said.
There are several waterfalls in Goa’s forest area which flow during monsoon season. These waterfalls are major tourist attraction especially during weekends.
