Goa bars entry to waterfalls, wildlife sanctuaries to ensure safety of travellers

The forest department of Goa has banned the entry of people to waterfalls within wildlife sanctuaries. Two people lost their lives in South Goa recently, and the ban will be in place as of now to ensure the safety of travellers.

Acting in line with the order issued, Chief Wildlife Warden Umakant prohibited the entry of people inside all wildlife sanctuaries and waterfalls until further orders. Also, as per the reports, due to continuous heavy rainfall in the state and high-water current rivers in forest areas, it’s not deemed safe to visit the waterfalls now.
Mostly, during this time, picnic goers throng waterfalls in Goa. It was the same this year and social media was flooded with complaints of overcrowding and misbehaviour at popular waterfalls, which prompted requests to the forest department and the government to regulate entry into the sanctuaries, especially on weekends.
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Referring to the ban, state Forest Minister Vishwajit Rane added that the department will review the ban after ensuring it has a mechanism in place to ensure that the flow of picnickers and tourists to the waterfalls are checked. He further added that the complaints would be taken into consideration and that regulations would be imposed so that people don’t face danger of losing their lives, and enjoy their trip without any hassle.
Goa is home to five wildlife sanctuaries, Bhagwan Mahaveer Sanctuary and Mollem National Park, Bondla Wildlife Sanctuary, Cotigao Wildlife Sanctuary, Mhadei Wildlife Sanctuary and Netravali Wildlife Sanctuary. The officials added that during the monsoon season, tourists and locals flock to some seasonal waterfalls and since most beaches remain inaccessible during monsoon, tourists and locals often trek deep into the protected forest areas and into the hinterland for an adventure.

As such, the decision to prohibit entry has been put into place as a precautionary measure in light of the recent incident.

1. Which is the largest wildlife sanctuary in Goa?
   The Bhagwan Mahavir Wildlife Sanctuary is located in the Goan town of Mollem.
2. Which is the smallest wildlife sanctuary in Goa?
   The Bondla Wildlife Sanctuary is the smallest of the three wildlife sanctuaries of Goa.
3. Which is the first wildlife sanctuary of Goa?
   Bhagwan Mahavir wildlife sanctuary, which is also the largest and the first wildlife sanctuary in Goa.