PUBLISHED BY AUTHORITY
EXTRAORDINARY
GOVERNMENT OF GOA
Office of the District Collector & District Magistrate, South Goa, Magisterial Section
Order
No. 38/2/2024/163 B.N.S.S./L&O/MAG/XII/M.O.1872
(Issued Under Section 163 of The Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita, 2023)
Whereas, the Superintendent of Police (South), Margao, Goa vide letter No. SP/S- Goa/Reader/1920/2026 dated 23-06-2026 has brought to notice the recurring and grave issue of drowning incidents occurring across various natural water bodies in South Goa District during the monsoon season, including waterfalls, abandoned quarries, rivers, lakes and other similar sites that attract both locals and tourists, particularly during the monsoon and holiday seasons;
And Whereas, despite the District Police's efforts to caution the public and display warning signage, these locations continue to be frequented unsafely and that many of them pose significant threats due to unpredictable water depths, slippery and unstable terrain and sudden currents and underflows, etc.;
And Whereas, multiple drowning incidents were reported from South Goa District and these pose a persistent threat to human life and a challenge to public safety enforcement;
And Whereas, in view of the above and inorder to take proactive measures to prevent loss of life, the Superintendent of Police (South) has recommended the invocation of Section 163 of the Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita, 2023 and the issuance of a prohibitory order banning all forms of swimming, bathing or entering into any natural water bodies such as waterfalls, abandoned quarries, rivers and lakes within South Goa District, until further notice.
And Whereas, such legal backing is essential to empower the local Police and Administrative machinery to enforce restrictions effectively and to ensure compliance through appropriate legal action against violators and that during the validity period the situation was under control and no any untoward incident was reported;
OFFICIAL GAZETTE — GOVT. OF GOA SERIES III No. 13 (EXTRAORDINARY) 29TH JUNE, 2026Now, Therefore, I, Egna Cleetus, IAS, District Magistrate, South Goa District, Margao-Goa, in exercise of powers vested in me under sub-section (1) of Section 163 of the Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita, 2023, do hereby prohibit swimming, bathing or entering waterfalls, abandoned quarries, rivers, lakes and other similar natural water bodies in the jurisdiction of South Goa District for 60 days, subject to the following exemptions:
a) Entry to waterfalls is not prohibited. However, swimming, bathing, entering the water, diving, cliff-jumping, or engaging in any other water-related activity in or around waterfalls shall remain prohibited. Guided eco-tourism visits conducted or authorized by the Goa Forest Development Corporation (GFDC) and Goa Tourism Development Corporation (GTDC) shall be permitted, subject to compliance with all safety protocols and directions issued by the concerned authorities.
b) The prohibition shall not apply to personnel of the Police Department, Fire and Emergency Services, National Disaster Response Force (NDRF), State Disaster Response Force (SDRF), Forest Department, Revenue Department, or any other Government agency while discharging official duties, including rescue, search, inspection, disaster response, or law enforcement.
c) The prohibition shall not apply to any person specifically authorized in writing by the District Administration or any competent authority for official, scientific, environmental, maintenance or public utility purposes.
d) Any person/s visiting waterfalls, viewpoints, trekking routes or other eco-tourism destinations shall strictly comply with the instructions issued by Government authorities, Forest officials, Police personnel, guides authorized by GFDC and any warning or safety signage installed at the site.
Further, the concerned Police Inspectors and Mamlatdars are directed to maintain strict vigilance within their jurisdictions and enforce this order diligently.
Any person found in contravention of this order shall be liable for punishment under Section 223 of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita, 2023. Additionally, all the Deputy Collector and Sub-Divisional Magistrates of South Goa are authorized to verify the violation of order issued under Section 163 of the Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita, 2023 and to file FIR before the concerned Court/Police Station and to lodge complaint before the appropriate Judicial Magistrate in the matter.
The above order is extended and shall come into force with effect from 26-06-2026 and shall remain in operation for a period of 60 days, unless withdrawn earlier.
Given under my hand and seal of this office, this 26th day of June, 2026.
Egna Cleetus, IAS District Magistrate, South Goa District, Margao Goa.