Panaji: The tourism department has identified and demarcated 14 locations across North Goa for regulated watersports, including kayaking, stand-up paddle boarding, paddle boating, boat rides and river rafting.The notified sites include major tourist hubs such as Baga, Baga creek, Keri on the Tiracol river, Mayem lake, a site near the Moira river, four locations along the Chapora river (including the area near Chapora jetty), Orda on the Nerul river, and two locations along the Mhadei river near the Ustem dam.According to the notification, the demarcation covers rivers, lakes, beaches, and other inland water bodies and is intended “to regulate and monitor these activities in Goa”. The move aims to provide clearly designated areas for recreational, water-based tourism while improving oversight across the district.All activities at the notified locations must comply with specified safety conditions and be conducted under professional supervision. Kayaking, in particular, will be subject to distance curbs, with operations restricted to between 200m and 500m from the boarding point. Operational limits and permitted activities vary by location, with specific instructions that kayaking must take place under the supervision of trained professionals.River rafting near Ustem dam carries an explicit instructor-supervision requirement. Tourism director Kedar Naik stated in the notification: “Water/river rafting for a distance not more than 1km from the boarding point. Only under the direct supervision, guidance and assistance of trained professional instructors.”The notification follows developments in July, when the captain of ports department rescinded permissions for river tourism and water sports. The department also informed Bombay high court that the tourism department had not notified or demarcated designated monsoon watersports zones, despite an earlier framework requiring operators to obtain a NOC before commencing operations.
