Goemkarponn Desk
PANAJI: The Tourism Department acknowledged that some businesses feeding these stray dogs is one of the factors fueling the dog problem on the beaches.
Since the dogs are harassing both locals and tourists from abroad, the state’s reputation for having “pristine beaches” may be in jeopardy. This is why the issue has become divisive.
The topic is expected to be discussed at the Empowered Committee’s next meeting, which is set to take place on June 4, following the announcement of the Lok Sabha election results.
Minister of Tourism Rohan Khaunte expressed his concerns that the threat affects not just Goa’s beaches but the entire state and said he spoke with Chief Minister Pramod Sawant about finding a solution.
He went on to say that stopping the feeding could make the dogs hostile, so the tourism department will come up with a workable plan to stop an increase in these kinds of situations.
“After June 4, we will bring this issue up in meetings of the Empowered Committee and the Goa Tourism Board. The minister said, “All stakeholders will be involved to resolve the issue as far as tourism is concerned.”
Drishti Marine, a lifesaving organization, brought attention to the situation of some tourists, including foreigners, and lifeguards who were attacked by stray dogs on Thursday. Recently, stray dogs attacked three lifeguards, two locals, and two tourists from Canada and Russia.
