Centre for Responsible Tourism, Goa

Another avenue being thrown open without much though from Arlekar. There is absolutely no planning that goes on with this government. Someone thinks of making a fast buck and the government buys it thoughtlessly

Preparations are on to hold the ‘first-of-its-kind’ bird festival in Goa.

“We are consulting experts to be able to host the bird festival in Goa by October or November 2016,” minister for forest and environment, Rajendra Arlekar said. Deliberations are on and the plans will be out tentatively in a week’s time, he said.

The minister told TOI that as per the tentative plan, the festival will be held over three days. While stating that no final decision on the venues has been taken, Arlekar said that the festival base may be at Bondla and the other venues will be atSalim Ali bird sanctuary at Chorao and Carambolim lake.

“We are in talks with experts and those in the know who will guide the government on the venues and how to go about it”, he said. One venue could be in South Goa.

He said it’s a matter of pride that out of 1,000 bird species in the country, Goa has around 460.

“We not only get foreign tourists but also get birds from foreign countries,” Arlekar said adding that there is a huge potential for avian tourism as the number of birders is growing steadily.

He said that the government would do whatever is necessary to promote Goa as a birding destination.

“Even among locals, there is huge enthusiasm as the young and old are go on bird-watching trips with binoculars and cameras,” he said.

http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/goa/Monsoon-arrival-ushers-in-whitewater-rafting/articleshow/53051661.cms

Whitewater rafting, the best monsoon activity in Goa that draws thousands of watersports enthusiasts has finally resumed in the River Mhadei after a delayed monsoon. The river rafting facility will be available from July to October 2016, subject to availability of rapids and adequate water currents, and suitable weather conditions. There will be two trips beginning at 9.30am and 2.30pm every day. The rafting activity is open to both adults and children above 12 years.

Whitewater rafting activities are carried out in accordance with internationally-accepted norms. Trained instructors are hired and operations run with a ‘safety first’ policy. Each passenger will be provided with safety equipment like lifejackets, paddles following the instruction sessions from experts, said a GTDC press statement.

Guests, engaging in rafting, can now video record their fun moments as video filming facility is made available at charge. Also, a changing room facility has been built. Chairman, Goa tourism development corporation (GTDC), Nilesh Cabral, said, “White water rafting is a watersport adventure activity that has become very popular during the monsoon. We are confident that the 2016 edition will also get an overwhelming response”.

The trip starts at the rafters meeting point next to Earthen Pot Restaurant, Valpoi, in North Goa from where a vehicle transports the rafters through the jungle on a 25-minute drive, followed by a 10-minute walk into the Mhadei river valley before reaching the river side. The rafting expedition, on rafts for six to eight persons through numerous class 2 and 3 rapids, covers a distance of 10 kilometers in 90 minutes.