Panaji: After the death of a 17-year-old student at a waterfall in Sattari, activists and hinterland tour operators have called on the state govt to draw up a comprehensive, time-bound action plan to curb drowning deaths, and to tighten licensing and enforcement for unregistered trek and picnic operators.The Goa Civic and Consumer Action Network (GOACAN) said it had warned North Goa collector Ankit Yadav on July 24 about the rise in drowning deaths. GOACAN coordinator Roland Martins said the collector’s office should convene a meeting of all concerned agencies to finalise an action plan for 2026-27.Separately, Mackinlay Barreto, founder of LocalBeat, which organises hinterland picnics and treks across Goa, said he had warned the tourism and forest departments that unregistered operators were organising treks and picnics based on social media reels, with little understanding of the terrain, currents or water depth.Barreto said there should be stricter enforcement and licensing norms beyond basic documents such as Aadhaar and PAN cards. He also proposed a dedicated enforcement wing to conduct year-round checks at waterfalls and other water bodies.He urged authorities to impose heavy penalties for violations and require licensed operators to display their licence numbers on all social media platforms.Barreto also proposed a public awareness campaign, an official tourism department portal listing licenced operators with updated registration details, and unique QR codes that tourists can scan to verify operators’ credentials and safety compliance before booking.Stakeholders say that at least 15 departments and agencies have a role to play, including the directorate of fire and emergency services, police, the departments of water resources, tourism, fisheries, education and Drishti Marine.Martins said authorities should put up warning signboards, helpline numbers and ensure police patrols, enforce river alcohol ban, ensure life-saving equipment at sites, provide stakeholder training, and conduct a drowning prevention awareness campaign.GOACAN and Barreto said the coming season, and the aftermath of the Sattari drowning, present an opportunity for the govt to move beyond reactive measures.State govt and the forest department have notified a list of waterfalls and lakes open to visitors, all monitored by Drishti Marine lifeguards equipped with safety gear. But tourism minister Rohan Khaunte recently said that social media influencers were promoting unauthorised waterfalls, lakes and quarries as “hidden gems”.
