Team Goemkarponn
PANAJI: The Goa government is planning to prohibit water sports activities during the monsoon season, citing increasing safety concerns, unpredictable sea conditions and the need to preserve the State’s reputation as a safe tourist destination.
The Captain of Ports (CoP) Department is in the process of reviewing a 2021 notification that allowed licensed operators to conduct water sports during the rainy season whenever weather and sea conditions were considered suitable. Officials said the government is now inclined to either revoke the notification or amend it by introducing far stricter regulations.
According to sources, the review follows reports that some operators allegedly continued offering rides even during periods of heavy rainfall and rough seas. Authorities believe such practices place tourists at unnecessary risk, as sea conditions during the monsoon can deteriorate rapidly due to strong currents, high waves and sudden squalls.
Officials said the government is examining the option of enforcing a complete suspension of water sports operations until the monsoon subsides. They maintain that a temporary ban would be the most effective measure to minimise accidents and ensure public safety.
The move comes after a series of incidents along Goa’s beaches, including the recent drowning of a tourist at Baga beach after he was swept away by powerful waves. The tragedy has renewed concerns over the safety of adventure activities during adverse weather conditions and the need for stricter enforcement of regulations.
Authorities also believe that repeated accidents during the tourist season could affect Goa’s standing as a preferred holiday destination. Industry representatives have acknowledged that safety-related incidents can undermine visitor confidence and negatively impact the State’s tourism sector.
The proposed suspension is expected to face opposition from water sports operators, who depend on monsoon operations for a significant portion of their earnings.
If implemented, the decision will mark a policy reversal from 2021, when the government permitted monsoon water sports under specified weather conditions as part of efforts to support the tourism industry during the post-pandemic recovery.
