Panaji: Days after the Goa Administration banned entry to hazardous waterfalls, abandoned quarries, rivers, lakes, and similar natural water bodies, the state government’s Goa Forest Development Corporation (GFDC) clarified that the ban does not apply to waterfalls under the Forest Department’s jurisdiction.
The opposition party has criticised this announcement by the GFDC claiming that its Chairman Dr Deviya Rane was risking the lives of the people and the lifting of the ban was “death trap wrapped in the Public Relation.”
Both the District Magistrates — North and South Goa— through different orders on June 02, 2025 had prohibited swimming, bathing or entering waterfalls, abandoned quarries, rivers, lakes and other similar natural water bodies in their respective jurisdictions.
The District Administration had clarified that the order was issued “following recurring and grave issued of drowning incidents occurring across various natural water bodies during the monsoon season, including waterfalls, abandoned quarries, rivers, lakes and other similar sites frequently visited by both locals and tourists.”
In the order the District magistrates had stated that any person found in contravention of the order will be liable for punishment under Section 223 of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita, 2023.
Days after the order, Rane on Tuesday through a public notice issued on her social media handles clarified that the waterfalls within their jurisdiction are open for visitors as a part of the monsoon tourism.
Rane said “in view of the recent orders issued by District Magistrates prohibiting entry into waterfalls and other water bodies during this monsoon season; it is to clarify that the waterfalls under the jurisdiction of Forest Department will be open for tourists as part of Monsoon tourism activities being promoted by Forest Department and GFDC, where all the tourism activities will be strictly under the supervision of Forest staff and Life Guards deployed for the purpose to safeguard the tourists.”
She said that the life jackets and other safety measures for tourists are ensured in these ecotourism sites. “Entry to the waterfalls and trekking activities will be through identified check gates, where all basic amenities will be provided,” Rane said.
“Therefore general public is requested to not to get confused with the orders issued by DMs (District Magistrates), as guided monsoon tourism activities/trekking in forest area/water falls are not restricted in any manner,” she added.
