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Planning a beach holiday in Goa this season? There's a new rule you'll want to know about before you set up that beach party or hail an unlicensed cruise ticket seller, because it could now cost you anywhere from ₹5,000 to ₹1 lakh.
Goa's tourism department has notified a fresh set of rules, issued by tourism director Kedar Naik, that classify 19 common tourist-spot activities as punishable "nuisances." The idea is to protect the state's beaches and tourist areas — and give police and tourism officials clearer power to act on the spot, rather than only after a complaint is filed.
So what exactly is off-limits now? Here's the traveller's cheat sheet:
- Unlicensed beach parties or events — that impromptu sundowner party with a speaker on the sand? Best get it sanctioned first.
- Hiring unregistered guides or masseurs — that friendly "masseur" or "guide" who walks up to you on the beach could land you in trouble too. The order specifically flags "masseurs, vagabonds, hawkers" touting unauthorised services.
- Buying cruise or water-sports tickets from unofficial counters — stick to licensed operators; touting for tickets from unpermitted spots is now banned.
- Drinking where it's not allowed, or breaking glass bottles — public drinking outside permitted zones, and smashed bottles left on the sand, are both flagged.
- Cooking or littering outside designated areas — that beach bonfire or roadside cook-up needs to stay within marked zones.
- Unauthorised river cruises or water sports — only ride with permitted operators.
- Blocking emergency, lifeguard, or beach-cleaning vehicles, or driving on the sand — keep vehicles off the beach itself.
- Dumping waste, sewage, chemicals, or oil near or onto the beach — this applies to businesses and individuals alike.
If you're caught violating any of these, fines start at ₹5,000 and can go up to ₹1 lakh. On top of the fine, you could also face prosecution under Section 223 of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita, 2023 — the law covering failure to comply with a public official's order.
Also Read: Nainital’s Mall Road becomes no honking zone: Route, fine and other details
Goa's tourism department has notified a fresh set of rules, issued by tourism director Kedar Naik, that classify 19 common tourist-spot activities as punishable "nuisances." The idea is to protect the state's beaches and tourist areas — and give police and tourism officials clearer power to act on the spot, rather than only after a complaint is filed.
So what exactly is off-limits now? Here's the traveller's cheat sheet:
- Unlicensed beach parties or events — that impromptu sundowner party with a speaker on the sand? Best get it sanctioned first.
- Hiring unregistered guides or masseurs — that friendly "masseur" or "guide" who walks up to you on the beach could land you in trouble too. The order specifically flags "masseurs, vagabonds, hawkers" touting unauthorised services.
- Buying cruise or water-sports tickets from unofficial counters — stick to licensed operators; touting for tickets from unpermitted spots is now banned.
- Drinking where it's not allowed, or breaking glass bottles — public drinking outside permitted zones, and smashed bottles left on the sand, are both flagged.
- Cooking or littering outside designated areas — that beach bonfire or roadside cook-up needs to stay within marked zones.
- Unauthorised river cruises or water sports — only ride with permitted operators.
- Blocking emergency, lifeguard, or beach-cleaning vehicles, or driving on the sand — keep vehicles off the beach itself.
- Dumping waste, sewage, chemicals, or oil near or onto the beach — this applies to businesses and individuals alike.
If you're caught violating any of these, fines start at ₹5,000 and can go up to ₹1 lakh. On top of the fine, you could also face prosecution under Section 223 of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita, 2023 — the law covering failure to comply with a public official's order.
Also Read: Nainital’s Mall Road becomes no honking zone: Route, fine and other details
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