Goa’s Iconic Dudhsagar Waterfalls Season Hit By Astonishing Delays

Published on October 19, 2024

The Goa Tourism Development Corporation (GTDC) and officials from the Mollem forest were preparing to launch a new tourist season at the iconic Dudhsagar waterfalls starting Saturday. However, plans have hit a roadblock as the jeep operators, under the Dudhsagar Tour Operators’ Association (DTOA), have decided not to operate their vehicles. Their protest stems from a demand that the government close the corporation’s ticket counter and return control of the booking portal to the association. The operators argue that they should have the exclusive rights to manage the operations, which have historically been under their jurisdiction.

This standoff has created tension between the two parties, delaying the season’s launch. The jeep operators feel that the government’s involvement undermines their business and threatens their livelihoods. They are standing firm on their demand, stating they will not resume operations until the portal is handed back to them. Tourists and local businesses who depend on the flow of visitors to Dudhsagar are now facing uncertainty, with the potential for the conflict to affect the entire season if a resolution is not reached soon.

As Mollem forest officials worked on preparing the ‘kuccha’ road that leads tourists to the Dudhsagar lake within the dense forests of the Bhagwan Mahaveer Wildlife Sanctuary at Collem village in Dharbandora taluka, the jeep operators were holding a crucial meeting at their Collem office late Friday afternoon. The focus of the meeting was their dissatisfaction with the recent changes in the management of the booking portal for the Dudhsagar tours.

The association placed the blame on its former chairman for transferring control of the portal to the Goa Tourism Development Corporation’s (GTDC) service provider from Ponda. They expressed frustration over the additional charges imposed by the GTDC, arguing that these extra fees have significantly increased the cost of the safari to Dudhsagar lake. According to them, since January of this year, tourists have been required to pay an additional Rs 257 solely due to the involvement of the GTDC service provider, making the experience less affordable for visitors.

The association has been pushing for the closure of the current booking counter and a return to the previous system of handling bookings. In response to this ongoing dispute, a joint meeting involving all stakeholders was convened at the Chief Minister’s office on Tuesday. Following the discussions and suggestions from the meeting, the Goa Tourism Development Corporation (GTDC) aimed to kickstart the new tourist season at Dudhsagar waterfall by Saturday, according to local MLA and GTDC chairman Ganesh Gaonkar.

The road leading deep into the forest presents significant challenges, particularly with two main streams that need to be crossed. During the monsoon season, the muddy path gets washed away, making it difficult for vehicles to navigate. Before allowing jeep tours to resume, the ‘kuccha’ road must be repaired and made safe for motorized access.