Team Herald
PONDA: Diwali celebrations began in Goa four days ago, but the atmosphere in Collem remained tense until Sunday, when the much-anticipated Dudhsagar tourism season resumed, bringing smiles to locals' faces.
A large influx of tourists arrived in the village, eager to witness the stunning Dudhsagar waterfall during the holiday.
The local community, including business owners and jeep operators who rely on Dudhsagar Falls for their livelihood, celebrated the reopening of tourism. After a fortnight of negotiations with the Goa Tourism Development Corporation (GTDC), tourism officially commenced, with around 240 jeeps operating andallowing over 2,500 tourists to enjoy the scenic beauty of the Collem Forest in the Western Ghats. In a show of solidarity, jeep operators even ended their hunger strike to join in the festivities.
The tourism season was officially declared open on October 19; however, jeep operators opposed the GTDC’s online booking fees, arguing that they would deter tourists. They demanded the return of their booking website, which had been taken over by the government. The ongoing deadlock caused significant anxiety among locals who depend on tourism for their livelihood, especially during the festive season.
After nearly two weeks of protests, tensions escalated on Sunday when some jeeps began ferrying tourists in offline mode to alleviate the situation. Following a hunger strike by jeep operators, Chief Minister Pramod Sawant met with them and agreed to reduce the booking fees by Rs 200, a compromise that aimed to satisfy both parties. The GTDC's online booking counter will remain operational, with a review scheduled in a month to formalise an agreement between the Dudhsagar Tour Operators Association and the government.
Despite the resolution, the jeep operators had initially resisted online bookings, preferring offline arrangements. This created confusion for tourists who had booked online, leading to a confrontation at Collem Bazaar. The Deputy Collector and local police intervened to maintain order as tensions flared.
The dispute had significantly impacted local businesses, including hotels and tea stalls, which have suffered losses due to the delayed tourism season. With mining activities halted for over a decade, Dudhsagar tourism represents a vital source of income for the villagers. The jeep operators had stated they will not resume ferrying tourists until their demands regarding online bookings are fully met.