Govt OKs water sports in rivers during monsoon

Panaji: In a bid to promote tourism, the government has allowed water sports in Chapora, Zuari, Sal rivers and Dona Paula bay during the June-August period on certain conditions.
Inland waterways department had invited objections and suggestions from various stakeholders within five days of a notification in the official gazette.
The government has allowed water sports activities in inland rivers during monsoon, but banned them in the sea due to its choppy conditions.
“No suggestions or objections have been received from the public regarding the issue,” an official from inland waterways department said.
The proposal to promote river tourism during the monsoon follows an assurance by the chief minister during the budget speech proposal for 2016-17.
The water sports operators will have to comply with various conditions, including a special survey or inspection by the Captain of Ports department. An additional fee of 15,000 will have to be paid and also an NOC from tourism department needs to be obtained.
The sports activities would have to be stopped in extreme weather conditions while other requirements such as valid insurance, licences, additional safety appliances and other aspects would have to be taken care of.
Some activists and fishermen alleged that the activities would affect their livelihood. “Traditional fishermen who cast small nets in rivers will be the first casualty,” Amrut Agarwadekar, a resident of Siolim said.