Team Goemkarponn
PANAJI: The Goa Forest Department has registered a case against five students for unauthorised entry into the prohibited Jalvane Waterfall area located in the core zone of the Mhadei Wildlife Sanctuary after they were rescued from the forest late on Monday night.
According to the department, the students entered the sanctuary through the Parwad route on July 14 without obtaining the mandatory permission from the Forest Department. They intended to visit Jalvane Waterfall but were unable to cross the Jalvani River due to high water levels and a strong current. While attempting to return, they lost their way inside the forest.
The Forest Department received information about the missing students through its 24×7 Forest Helpline (1926) and immediately launched a search operation. Forest personnel successfully traced and rescued all five students at around 10.30 p.m. from the jurisdiction of the Parwad Anti-Poaching Camp.
During the inquiry, the students told officials they had visited the area after seeing news reports and social media posts claiming that the waterfall was open round the clock.
As the students had entered the protected area without a valid permit, the Forest Department has registered cases against them under the relevant provisions of the Wildlife (Protection) Act, 1972.
The department reiterated that Jalvane Waterfall is a prohibited and high-risk area within the core zone of the Mhadei Wildlife Sanctuary. It urged the public not to rely on misleading social media posts or unverified information and to visit only those destinations officially permitted by the Forest Department. It also reminded the public that unauthorised entry into protected areas is a punishable offence.
