Unauthorised snorkelling along the Maharashtra coast needs to be checked, according to the State Tourism Minister, Mr Chhagan Bhujbal.
“Illegal snorkelling can put the lives of tourists at risk,” Mr Bhujbal said here last week, adding that his department was planning to make Maharashtra Tourism Development Corporation (MTDC) a recommending body for allowing private snorkelling facilities, so that this popular underwater activity can be regulated.
Need of the hour was to curb the risks involved and develop the sport at international standards, he said. Illegal snorkelling is rampant in Malawan and other parts of Konkan, he said.
Training
He said that Maharashtra Maritime Board had expressed willingness to impart snorkelling training. The Board was also ready to start scuba diving course in the MTDC premises.
Talking about tourism in Konkan, he said that there was a proposal to permit houseboats at Tarkarli and Aronda. Permission had been sought to build jetties at Ganpati Pule, Guhagar, Murud, Harnai, Hareshwar, Tarkarli, Devbagh, and Murud-Janjira, he said.
The Minister said he had asked the maritime board to undertake desilting in Tarkarli and Ganpatipule, so that high-speed boats can operate in the creek area.