Cites incidents of serious injuries caused to tourists
MARGAO
Red flagged by the Colva panchayat a month ago, motor paragliding sport received a green signal from Goa Tourism Development Corporation (GTDC), triggering outrage and protests at the world famous tourist beach spot.
Days after the GTDC overruled Colva Panchayat’s decision not to issue NOC for the paragliding sport at the world famous Colva beach, the Colva Civic and Consumer Forum have taken up cudgels for the villagers against the operations.
In fact, the Forum headed by social activist Judith Almeida has dashed off a letter to the South Goa district Collector, with a request for immediate stoppage of motor paragliding on Colva Beach due to lack of infrastructure, besides consumer, rider and public safety.
In the letter, Judith has raised serious objections to motor paragliding at Colva Beach, recalling past incidents causing serious injuries to tourists by the sport. “The beach is regularly overcrowded with people both tourists and locals. This particular sport has no infrastructure to back its operations. And, consumer rights, rider and public safety is automatically compromised thus endangering lives. Further any untoward accident of failure of the motor paragliding apparatus could be a reason for disaster endangering several lives”, she said.
She added: “This forum is appalled that the Goa Tourism and Development Corporation has not applied its mind despite the lack of infrastructure and knowledge of the crowded beach when issuing this NOC to a private party for reasons best known to the Department. Several citizens have raised objections to this motor sport in the interest of rider and public safety and the issue was finally raised in the village gram sabha hoping that the authorities will act”.
The GTDC’s decision to allow motor paragliding at Colva beach has come as a shock and surprise when the panchayat had unanimously resolved to request the Corporation to stop issuing NOCs or permission for such activities at Colva based on a resolution adopted at the gram sabha meeting dated October 27, 2024.
In the Panchayat’s letter to GTDC, Colva Sarpanch Suzie Fernandes had cited key reasons including public safety and rider safety, behind the request to stop paragliding sport at Colva beach.
The Sarpanch had pointed out that motor-powered paragliding poses a potential risk to residents and tourists due to its low-altitude operations, mechanical noise, and possible mishaps during take-offs or landings. Besides, the Panchayat had pointed out that operators of motor-powered para gliders are exposed to considerable risks, including mechanical failures, challenging weather conditions, and inadequate safety protocols in the area.
Given these significant safety concerns, the Colva Panchayat had strongly urged the GTDC to cease issuing permissions for motor-powered paragliding activities in Colva village.
