We all like taking selfies, but excessive selfies can put our lives at risk. This is why Mumbai had declared some no selfie zones, while Indian Railways had enforced laws to stop people from taking selfies on railway tracks. Following these footsteps, now Goa is also stopping people from taking selfies. 24 no selfie zones have opened in Goa There has been a worrying increase in deaths in some areas due to not being careful while taking selfies. The move comes in the wake of the death of two tourists from Tamil Nadu while trying to take selfies on the rocky cliffs of Goa.
In the last years, the highest number of deaths due to taking selfies have occurred in India. This is the time when outside authorities had to intervene.
Ravi Shankar, CEO of Drishti Marine, a private lifeguard agency appointed by the state government, has identified After ‘No Selfie Zone in Goa’, These include Dona Paula Jetty, Anjuna, Arambol, Morjim, Vagator, Kerim, Baga River, Sinquerim Fort, Ashwem and the areas between Bambolim and Siridao in North Goa. In South Goa, these places include Bogmalo, Agonda, Japanese Garden, Canguinim, Baina, Betul, Cape de Rama, Talpona, Polem, Khola, Galgibagh and Rajbagh.
To sensitize people, lists highlighting Dos and Don’ts with proper signage have already been implemented in these areas as prevention measures. Red flags are raised on beaches to mark them as dangerous and therefore ‘no swimming area, Lifeguards are stationed at the beaches from 7-30 am to 6 pm. Drishti has appointed two lifeguards at each tower to deal with any emergency till 8 pm. In addition the Beach Safety Patrol (BSP) patrols and inspects the beaches from sunset to midnight.
People forget that their security is not just in their phones but also in their own hands. Next time you feel like taking a selfie at a special place, make sure it’s absolutely safe and don’t get too carried away with the experience!
