Daijiworld Media Network – Panaji

Panaji, Nov 14: The Goa Tourism Department has identified and demarcated 14 locations across North Goa for regulated watersports activities, including kayaking, stand-up paddle boarding, paddle boating, boat rides and river rafting.

The designated locations include popular tourist destinations such as Baga and Baga creek, Keri on the Tiracol river, Mayem lake, a site near the Moira river, and four locations along the Chapora river, including an area near Chapora jetty.

The list also includes Orda on the Nerul river and two locations along the Mhadei river near Ustem dam.

According to the notification, the demarcation covers rivers, lakes, beaches and other inland water bodies. The initiative aims to regulate and monitor watersports activities by identifying specific areas for recreational water-based tourism and strengthening supervision.

All activities at the notified sites must follow prescribed safety conditions and be conducted under professional supervision. Kayaking will be subject to distance restrictions, with operations limited to between 200 and 500 metres from the boarding point. The permitted activities and operational limits will vary depending on the location.

River rafting near Ustem dam will be allowed for a distance of up to one kilometre from the boarding point and must take place under the direct supervision and guidance of trained instructors.

Tourism Director Kedar Naik, in the notification, stated that rafting activities must be carried out with the assistance of trained professional instructors.

The notification comes months after the Captain of Ports Department withdrew permissions for river tourism and watersports activities in July.

The department had also informed the Bombay High Court that the Tourism Department had not notified or demarcated designated monsoon watersports zones, despite an earlier framework requiring operators to obtain a no-objection certificate before starting operations.