"Waterfall Circuit" in Goa : The bane of "Keyword + Tourism"
Vishwajit Rane allowed the destruction of 1.86 Lakh sq metre of Green Cover and opposed 99 Villages to be notified as "Eco Sensitive Zones".
The Forest Department of Goa ruled by Forest + Health + Town&City Planning Minister and Goa Forest Development Corporation ruled by the wife of Forest Minister Deviya Rane, announced today; the launch of "Waterfall Circuits" within the forest areas "to enhance the popularity of Goa's hinterland".
Now, his plan has moved ahead.
The Government of Goa in some very recent times, with the lead of Chief Minister PRamod Sawant and Tourism Minister Rohan Khaunte; is milking the "tourism" in Goa, the smallest state of the country, with the most abysmal infrastructure to support it, by "Keyword Tourism". Type "Tourism +" in a search engine query bar, and whatever comes to the fore, till the last page of results, that has to be implemented in Goa also.And it's not so, that Goa is unknown to humanity. ow many tourists, both Domestic and Foreign come to India, you can find out by a simple search query.
When you do not have to show anything on Employment,Education,Justice,Human Rights,Safety,Preservation of Lands & Forests; You show the burgeoning prospect of tourism in the state,which is already saddled by the extensive load of tourists, like a old mule hauling a 80 year old woman, going to Kedarnath, as a last chance to repent on her sins and forgiveness.
This is the same Minister who has allowed to turn 1.86 Lakh sq metres of green cover into settlement zones, which basically means, you can construct, anything you like, as long as you pay the requisite "bribe".
Monsoon is the most quaint period of Goa, irrespective of various pitfalls, it brings (along with the waterfalls), lack of electricity, extremely poor roads, flooding; but still Goans love that, because of the peace it brings.The peace from tourists crowd. But no more.
Let's talk about the "Waterfall Circuits", while the Minister who allowed the destruction of 1.86 Lakh sq metres of green land, has promised a lot in his announcement; there has not been any details coming forward on how the Forest Department has prepared itself,ruled by the husband-wife duo, for the onslaught?
Today, itself, It has even reported that, 2 people drowned at a famous waterfall at Netravali. At waterfalls, like at shore, saving a life is a matter of seconds.So, before announcing the "Waterfall circuits", would not be it much more prudent to announce the infrastructure in place to compliment that first?
When the capital city of Panjim is itself drowning, and so else the other places of Goa in prominence, with roads being absent; and potholes more prominent; it's like you are driving on pothole with roads embedded; rather than roads, with potholes; how wise it is to put "Waterfall Circuits" in place, when Goa PWD Department is either eating money or sleeping.
"Responsible Tourism" is at number 1 on the "Wish List" of Tourism Minister Rohan Khaunte; whatever he could not control, he blames on "Irresponsible Desi Tourists" coming to Goa, for rest, he unabashedly collects "sponsored awards" which no even knows existed.
The state of the Tourists coming to Goa for enjoying the "Waterfall Circuit" of Goa was highlighted by a "Local Goan of Cancona" in a tweet yesterday, and it sums up everything which is wrong with this policy.
And the biggest of all, there has not been any consultation made with local Goans, who have been living at peace in nature, in their quiet villages, in the serenity of nature, which Lord Almighty has bless them with.
Whether they want an influx of rowdy and drunken tourists, with no civic sense, to their villages and disturb them?
A query search of "Goa Garbage" would let you know immediately, that Goa is basically now a giant "garbage dump" which no one has any clue, of how to get rid with, including; PRamod Sawant,Rohant Khaunte,Vishwajit Rane and Deviya Rane.When Municipal Corporations and Municipalities, along with prominent Village Panchayats are faltering, how small villages are going to cope up with garbage pile-up left by nonsensical desi tourists?
Working only for the benefit of Resorts, Hotels and Restaurants lobby dominated by outsiders, who have been doled out favours on the act of "commission" by the Goa Government, would take Goa to only a "Touristic Hell for The Locals".
The "Waterfall Circuit" is another nail in the coffin of Goa, probably the last.