Goa government set to pass stricter law to curb ‘nuisance' at tourists hotspots
(You can now subscribe to our
(You can now subscribe to our Economic Times WhatsApp channel
Mumbai: With an aim to curb 'public nuisance ' at tourists places and provide for more hospitable and sustainable experience to its visitors, the Goa government is set to introduce a key amendment to the Goa Tourist Places (Protection and Maintenance) Act, 2001, significantly widening the scope of punishable offences at tourist destinations across the state.The amendments expands the legal definition of 'nuisance' and significantly increases penalties for activities deemed disruptive or damaging to public order. The bill is expected to be introduced in the upcoming session of the Goa Legislative Assembly Sources said that the decision comes in response to the rapid growth in tourist numbers, which has been accompanied by a surge in activities that authorities say threaten public order and the overall visitor experience. Goa Tourism Minister Rohan A Khaunte asserted that the growing number of tourists has unfortunately been accompanied by a rise in activities that undermine the quality of the visitor experience and disrupt public order. '...this legislation is a step in the right direction to address these issues and maintain Goa's reputation as a responsible and world-class tourism destination,' Khaute said.Under the amended law, a range of actions—such as pestering tourists to purchase goods, drinking alcohol in unauthorized areas, littering, breaking glass bottles, cooking in open spaces, illegal hawking, and ticket touting—will now be clearly defined as nuisances. Unauthorized operation of water sports and boating activities will also fall under the purview of the updated legislationThe amendment also includes a provision for biennial reviews, allowing the Department of Tourism to revise fine amounts every two years by up to 10%.The revised bill imposes much tougher fines against the offenders. While offenders were previously fined up to ₹50,000, under the new law, penalties can now range from a minimum of ₹5,000 to as much as ₹1,00,000. Depending on the severity of the offense, violators may also face prosecution under Section 223 of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita, 2023.The government's initiative aims to create an environment where public spaces are better managed to allow the tourists a holistic experience. '...this major legislative update is part of ongoing efforts by the Goa government to enhance visitor experiences, safeguard public order, and support the state's commitment to sustainable tourism. With better guidelines and stronger penalties now in place, Goa continues its journey towards establishing a tourism ecosystem that is both welcoming and well-regulated,' said an official.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Time of India
7 hours ago
- Time of India
Discover the top 10 most beautiful buildings worldwide: list reveals
Live Events (You can now subscribe to our (You can now subscribe to our Economic Times WhatsApp channel In a dazzling celebration of human creativity and heritage, Time Out has unveiled its highly anticipated list of the 24 most beautiful buildings worldwide, with an exciting spotlight on the top 10. Spanning continents and centuries, these architectural marvels are not just buildings; they are stories carved in stone, glass, and steel that reflect history, culture, and innovation. Here's a fun yet detailed dive into the dazzling top 10 that have captured hearts—and the list, the Taj Mahal in Agra is often called the world's most beautiful building—and for good reason. Commissioned by Emperor Shah Jahan in 1632 as a mausoleum for his beloved wife Mumtaz Mahal, it took 22 years and around 20,000 artisans to create this masterpiece. The structure's ethereal white marble shifts color with the daylight—from soft pink at sunrise to a glowing ivory by noon, and a mystical gold by moonlight—creating a breathtaking spectacle. Adorned with exquisite calligraphy, inlaid precious stones, and perfectly symmetrical minarets designed to tilt outward for earthquake safety, it's a symbol of eternal love and Mughal architectural genius. Over 7 million visitors flock here yearly to witness its timeless striking Hallgrímskirkja cathedral rises in Reykjavík like a futuristic structure inspired by volcanic basalt columns. Completed in 1986 after more than four decades of construction, its bold, minimalist style speaks to the island's dramatic landscapes. This Evangelical-Lutheran church is the tallest building in Iceland, with a stunning tower offering panoramic views of Reykjavík framed by rugged nature. Its blend of modernist and expressionist design makes it a standout example of how architecture can mirror the natural list of beautiful buildings is complete without the awe-inspiring Pyramids of Giza. Built over 4,500 years ago, these monumental tombs for Egyptian pharaohs combine engineering brilliance and spiritual significance. The Great Pyramid, once the tallest man-made structure for millennia, was built using massive limestone blocks with ingenious methods still debated by historians. Their stoic permanence and geometric perfection make them one of the world's oldest and most enduring symbols of human civilization and architectural Frank Lloyd Wright transformed domestic architecture with Fallingwater, a 1930s house nestled in the Pennsylvania woods, ingeniously cantilevered over a waterfall. Surrounded by lush greenery, it blurs boundaries between indoor and outdoor living. The home's terraces extend over a babbling brook, and the interior integrates natural rock formations, creating harmony between nature and design. It's regarded as a seminal work of organic architecture and a sanctuary of tranquility and as the "Rose City" for its sandstone cliffs, Petra dazzles with rock-carved architecture and sophisticated ancient water management. Ad-Dayr, Petra's tallest facade at 48 meters, is an awe-inspiring monolithic structure dating to the 1st century AD. This monumental temple exemplifies the blending of Nabataean artistry and Hellenistic influences, making it a must-see cultural icon often called one of the New Seven Wonders of the contemporary masterpiece by architect Frank Gehry in Paris channels both futuristic ship sails and 19th-century greenhouses. Completed in 2014, its glass 'sails' interspersed with white geometric 'icebergs' create a shimmering dynamic facade that shifts with the light. Gehry's signature deconstructivist style makes this art museum a floating vessel of culture and innovation in the heart of a classic Long Room in Trinity College is a bibliophile's dream—a stunning 65-meter chamber housing approximately 200,000 of the college's oldest books in hand-crafted wooden bookcases with soaring barrel-vaulted ceilings. Built in the early 18th century and expanded over decades, the room's moody, gothic atmosphere is a testament to centuries of scholarship and world's largest mud-brick building and a UNESCO World Heritage Site, the Great Mosque of Djenné showcases the power of community architecture. Rebuilt in 1907 with sun-baked earthen bricks and annual replastering events that bring locals together, it stands as a living symbol of Sahelian culture and Islamic heritage. Its towering minarets and sculptural palm-leaf scaffolding create an earthy monument that defies weather and the "Pink Mosque," this 19th-century Shiraz gem dazzles with kaleidoscopic stained glass windows and intricate pastel tiles. Morning light floods the prayer hall, bathing the interior in vibrant hues that shift through the day. Its delicate mosaics and patterned arches invite visitors into a serene, colorful world where light and craftsmanship the intersection of art and architecture stands The Twist—an innovative gallery and bridge in Kistefos Sculpture Park that twists 90 degrees to connect riverbanks. Completed in 2019, it offers three distinct gallery spaces with floor-to-ceiling windows and moody interiors. This kinetic design invites visitors to experience light, nature, and modern art through a playful and dynamic structure that embodies Norway's artistic top 10 beautiful buildings showcase human ingenuity, cultural richness, and artistic grandeur, proving that architecture is not just about shelter but about storytelling, emotion, and connection across time and place. From the monumental romance of the Taj Mahal to the natural harmony of Fallingwater, these sites spark wonder and inspire journeys for millions worldwide.
Time of India
a day ago
- Time of India
Goa gets tough on tourist nuisance with up to Rs 1 lakh fine
Mumbai: Next time you're unwinding by the beaches of Goa, beware. Ordering drinks from an unauthorised vendor or breaking beer bottles in public areas will be considered a nuisance and may land you in legal troubles. The state assembly on Friday passed a Bill, the Goa Tourist Places (Protection and Maintenance) Amendment Bill 2025, which expands the legal definition of "nuisance" and significantly increases penalties for activities deemed disruptive or damaging to public order. The Bill was pending governor's assent as of Saturday evening. Explore courses from Top Institutes in Please select course: Select a Course Category Public Policy Others Cybersecurity Management healthcare CXO Digital Marketing Data Science Degree Design Thinking PGDM others Leadership Healthcare Data Science Data Analytics Operations Management Finance Technology Project Management Artificial Intelligence MBA MCA Product Management Skills you'll gain: Economics for Public Policy Making Quantitative Techniques Public & Project Finance Law, Health & Urban Development Policy Duration: 12 Months IIM Kozhikode Professional Certificate Programme in Public Policy Management Starts on Mar 3, 2024 Get Details Skills you'll gain: Duration: 12 Months IIM Calcutta Executive Programme in Public Policy and Management Starts on undefined Get Details "The state encourages responsible tourists and responsible tourism," Goa tourism minister Rohan Khaunte told ET. He wants Goa to be known for sports, software and spirituality, in addition to the 3S: sun, sand and sea. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like Do you have a mouse? Desert Order Undo In the past six months, Goa has seen an 8.4% increase in tourist footfall at over 5.4 million, the minister said. Of them, 5.18 million were domestic tourists and 0.27 million were foreigners. Under the amended law, a range of actions-such as pestering tourists to purchase goods, drinking alcohol in unauthorised areas, littering, breaking glass bottles, cooking in open spaces, illegal hawking and ticket touting-will be explicitly classified as nuisances. Unauthorised water sports and boating activities will also fall under the purview of the updated legislation. Live Events The amendment includes a provision for biennial reviews, allowing the Department of Tourism to revise fines every two years by up to 10%. The revised Bill introduces significantly tougher fines. While the earlier cap on fines was ₹50,000, the new penalties now range from ₹5,000 to ₹1 lakh. Depending on the severity of the offense, violators may also face prosecution under Section 223 of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita, 2023.
Hindustan Times
a day ago
- Hindustan Times
Goa Assembly passes bill to curb touting at tourist spots, fines upto ₹1 lakh
The Goa assembly has passed a bill introducing stricter measures and heavier penalties against public nuisance and unauthorised activities at tourist spots across the state. The new law also criminalises obstruction of free tourist movement and coercive sales tactics.(Reuters File Photo) State Tourism Minister Rohan Kahunte on Friday tabled the Goa Tourist Places (Protection and Maintenance) Amendment Bill, 2025, which aims to strengthen the 2001 Act by significantly expanding the definition of "nuisance" and increasing the fine limit to ₹1 lakh. The bill was passed after a discussion, during which Khaunte said the legislation would curb unauthorised touting. "There are agents for everything, and this bill is a positive step to regulate and eliminate touting activities," he said, highlighting the need for better regulation to protect tourists and maintain order. The legislation has revised the definition of nuisance, which now includes a wide range of activities such as operating boats or floating objects causing danger or pollution, pestering tourists to buy goods or services, consuming alcohol or breaking glass bottles in unauthorised areas, cooking in open or non-designated areas, littering, conducting water sports or ticket sales from non-designated zones, unauthorised hawking, begging, or operating vehicles on beaches, and selling tourism services for locations outside the state without permission. The new law also criminalises obstruction of free tourist movement and coercive sales tactics. Under the amended section 10, violators will now face a minimum fine of ₹5,000, extendable to ₹1 lakh, and a punishment under section 223 (disobeying a public servant's order) of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita, 2023. The bill also introduces section 10A, which mandates a biennial review of fines by the government, allowing a revision of penalties by up to 10 per cent every two years, based on recommendations by the competent authority. As per the statement of Objects and Reasons of the Bill, the amendment was necessary in light of the rise in tourist footfall and growing instances of violations that have disrupted public order, degraded the environment, and harmed the tourism experience for both visitors and locals. "This move aims to promote responsible and regenerative tourism in Goa while ensuring a safe, clean, and hospitable environment at tourist locations," it stated.
