In the past, Goa’s peak tourist seasons were often marred by incidents of drowning near the beaches. These tragic events were primarily a result of tourists being unaware of the dangers and venturing too far into the sea, exacerbated by some individuals being under the influence of alcohol. However, a recent experiment conducted by the Goa government in October and November has provided a blueprint for enhancing the safety of the state’s beaches.

The pilot experiment involved deploying wardens and the Indian Reserve Battalion (IRB) along the beaches to monitor the movement of tourists and facilitate prompt rescues when necessary. The goal was to focus on preserving lives, particularly by preventing intoxicated or inexperienced swimmers from entering the sea. Manohar Azgaonkar, Deputy Chief Minister and Tourism Minister, highlighted that the initiative brought order to the chaotic beach situation caused by heavy footfall.

Encouraged by the positive outcomes, the government has tasked Drishti Marine, a private beach management agency, with compiling a report based on their findings. The intention is to expand this project to various locations along the state’s western coast regularly between October and February.

Unlike trained lifeguards stationed on the beaches, the deployed beach wardens are not equipped for water rescues and do not cross the High Tide Line. Instead, they are trained to monitor and intervene with errant or intoxicated tourists on the beach, especially those at risk of venturing into the sea against safety guidelines.

Goa faced challenges in recent months due to cyclones and adverse weather conditions, coinciding with increased weekend domestic tourism. Chief Minister Pramod Sawant issued warnings to tourists to behave responsibly. On a high footfall day in November, lifeguards conducted 16 major rescues, highlighting the need for additional intervention beyond traditional lifeguard services.

Recognizing the limitations of police in ensuring beach safety, Drishti Marine deployed wardens to patrol the beaches. The collaboration between wardens and lifeguards resulted in identifying safer swimming zones and addressing rip currents. Statistics revealed a 70% increase in rescues compared to the previous five years, attributed to adverse weather conditions and public indifference to safety.

Tourism officials emphasize the importance of tourist education, urging visitors to recognize the risks of entering the sea while intoxicated. The IRB and wardens are now authorized to refer rule-violating tourists to the nearest police station. While acknowledging that tourism management is an evolving subject, officials are optimistic about the effectiveness of the additional layer of intervention provided by wardens and IRB personnel.