Panaji (Goa): Indulging in adventure tourism like white water rafting, joining the waterfall trekking trails, practicing some yoga, visit to wildlife sanctuaries and to spice plantations in Goa are the events lined up for monsoon season.

As a part of raindrop tourism, started a couple of years ago to boost tourism during the off-season too, the Tourism Department aims at showing visitors Goa’s natural beauty – beyond the beaches.

“When someone thinks of visiting Goa, the beaches are the only place that comes to mind, but, there is a lot more to add up than the sun, sand and surf,” the tourism page states, adding, “The monsoon season in Goa is just breathtaking and a perfect time to discover the delicious cuisine, natural beauty and the long carpets of greenery.  The so called ‘off season,’ is the best time to enjoy in Goa at a laid-back pace experiencing nature at its best.”

Besides a visit to the popular wildlife sanctuaries which the tourism officials say is a ‘must-visit during the monsoons,’ the department is set to begin trekking across waterfalls – an activity every Sunday during the monsoon season.

“Goa’s famous Dudhsagar falls also known for its milky white waters is one of the most striking natural phenomena. Goa is blessed with a lot of waterfalls and other water bodies. Trekking and nature trails are some of the very popular activities conducted during the monsoons,” it says. White-water rafting organised by Goa Tourism Development Corporation is another interesting adventure activity conducted only during the monsoons on River Mhadei during the day hours only.

While trekking and visits to Dudhsagar falls is round the year, the Goa government has now proposed to put a cap on the total visitors to ecological areas. Chief Minister Manohar Parrikar is of the opinion that Dudhsagar falls should limit visitors to maximum 2.5 lakh a year in a bid to protect it from possible environmental damage. Carrying of plastics to this place will also be banned in the coming days.

The proposal is likely to cover other eco-tourism spots whilst the government is also working at further encouraging tourism here.

Goa is also synonym to rejuvenation and to plunge in this mood, tourism department is also promoting the state as a destination for Yoga, Ayurveda and spa. “Away from the life’s humdrum, Yoga in Goa provides the perfect activity to just relax, rejuvenate and get your body toned up”, it says further. Several foreign nationals have taken up Yoga along the coastal belt. Meanwhile visit to spice plantations and participating in festivals during the monsoons like Sao Joao, Sangodd, Chikalkalo, Touxachem fest, Bonderam and Patolleanchem fest is also in the itinerary for tourists.

Team TNV