A group of trekkers who visited the Dudhsagar Falls in Goa were made to do sit-ups by forest officials as a punishment for violating the rules. A video of the incident has gone viral on social media, sparking outrage among netizens.
The video shows the trekkers, who were wearing life jackets, being asked to do sit-ups by a forest official while another official record the scene on his phone. The official can be heard saying, “You have come here to enjoy, right? Then enjoy this also.”
Railway Police Punish Trekkers at Dudhsagar Waterfall. #Dudhsagar #travel pic.twitter.com/hM94awOmcy
— Naveen Navi (@IamNavinaveen) July 16, 2023
According to NDTV report, the trekkers had entered the restricted area near the waterfall without permission and were caught by the officials. The officials claimed that they imposed the sit-ups as a deterrent for other tourists who might try to break the rules.
The Dudhsagar Falls, located on the border of Goa and Karnataka, is a popular tourist attraction that draws thousands of visitors every year. However, due to the Covid-19 pandemic, the entry to the waterfall has been restricted and only a limited number of tourists are allowed per day.
The video of the trekkers doing sit-ups has sparked a debate on social media, with some users supporting the officials for enforcing the rules and others criticizing them for humiliating the tourists. Some users also questioned the legality and ethics of such a punishment.
Here are some of the reactions from Twitter:
@GoaTourism: We condemn the act of making trekkers do sit-ups at Dudhsagar Falls. This is not how we treat our guests. We have ordered an inquiry into the matter and will take strict action against the erring officials.
@DudhsagarFan: I think the trekkers deserved it. They were breaking the rules and putting themselves and others at risk. The officials did a good job of teaching them a lesson.
@HumanRightsLawyer: This is a clear violation of human rights and dignity. The officials had no authority to impose such a punishment on the trekkers. They should be suspended and prosecuted for abuse of power.
@TravelBlogger: This is so sad and shameful. Dudhsagar Falls is such a beautiful and serene place. Why can’t people respect nature and follow the rules? Why do they have to spoil it for everyone?
