Panaji: The forest department has issued an order announcing the opening of the Dudhsagar circuit for eco-tourism for the 2026-27 season, for authorised vehicles to carry tourists to the waterfall and back. The order issued on Saturday states that the activities will begin with immediate effect. The bookings of the vehicles are to be made online through a govt-authorised portal run by Goa Tourism Development Corporation (GTDC).The entry gate of Bhagawan Mahavir National Park at Collem will remain open from 8am to 3pm for batches of 30-40 persons at hourly intervals, considering the parking space and to avoid overcrowding; the forest department has said.The order states that for the initial period of 15 days, as a precaution, additional forest staff and personnel will be deployed near the river crossing at Collem and at the waterfall site, and during any yellow alerts issued by IMD, Goa.The trips in a day will be capped at 240, as recommended by state board for wildlife (SBWL), and only vehicles registered with Goa forest department will be permitted. No other private vehicles/two-wheelers will be permitted to enter the tourist circuit from the entry gate, states the order.“Entering the falls without life jackets is strictly prohibited. An adequate number of forest guards, trekkers, nature guides, support staff and lifeguards will be deployed by Goa forest department, Goa Forest Development Corporation (GFDC) and GTDC to ensure the safety of visitors, and their directions/services shall be strictly followed,” the order reads.The permit holders will also be required to deploy personnel and vehicles on standby at Collem river crossing point, in particular, to ensure the safety of tourists.“Entry to the falls from the railway track is strictly prohibited in the circuit. The number of adults per vehicle shall be restricted to seven at a time. Plastic water bottles and plastic carry bags are not permitted inside Wildlife Sanctuary and National Park. Strict action will be taken if anyone is found carrying alcohol or found under the influence of alcohol within the circuit. It is also the responsibility of jeep operators/drivers/permit holders to primarily restrict such cases,” the forest department has said.Speeding/rash driving is strictly prohibited and will be dealt with seriously and may lead to suspension/cancellation of permits. Further, permit holders shall ensure the fitness of their vehicles for the safety of visitors, the department has said.It has also said that jeep operators will have to give an undertaking that visitors will be allowed to visit the nature interpretation centre at Collem gate for at least 15 minutes to get sensitised about the need for forest and wildlife conservation.It has also said that Goa forest department reserves the right to call off the ecotourism activity in Dudhsagar circuit on a particular day for any valid reasons and in case of orange/red alerts issued by IMD, Goa.
