In Goa, a barking dog highlights an annoying issue

Not too many days ago, a video of a dog barking at two tourists dancing on a street in Sao Tome in Panjim, left many viewers barking. Tourists creating a nuisance in this heritage area of Panjim is not something new. It’s an old story with different actors showing their annoyance, and this time, the lead actor was the dog.

Let’s start with this problem. The first story, and the only one the video tells, is that the lanes and structures of the place are not monuments, but homes. This is the message that needs to go out to all.

Goa's Fontainhas is calling for respectful tourism

Soon after the video, the Corporation of the City of Panaji (CCP) promised to appoint sentries with the responsibility of reining in the tourists. Is this the duty of the CCPor does the responsibility lie somewhere else or with some other department?

Civic sense says that the role of any corporation is to see that the city moves. To make sure that all citizens get water, the sewerage system is in place, the gutters are clean etc.

Since it is tourists who are creating the problem, the Department of Tourism must first be roped in and not the CCP or the MLA of the constituency.

Hence, wardens do not fill in the blanks. Imagine wardens are sent. What are they to do? A warden with no power or authority will only end up as a man or woman grossly abused for being made to walk from one end of the ward to the other just to see that those living in homes are not disturbed and end up mentally tortured.

Noisein residential areas at any time of the day is a crime. And, to solve the crime, there are rules and therefore, the need to meet politicians or people in power does not arise unless they themselves are perpetrating the crime.

A perfect picture is not always picture perfect in Goa's Fontainhas

Social media threads indicate that citizens from the affected wards met a politician seeking a solution. They were promised, it was reported, that the matter would be raised during the monsoonsession of the Goa Legislative Assembly, starting on July 21, 2025.

Since it is tourists who are creating the problem, the Department of Tourism must first be roped in and not the CCP or the MLA of the constituency. They may, at best, provide outside support because political science says their role is limited to legislation and catering to the basic amenities of the electorate.

To solve the crime, there are rules and therefore, the need to meet politicians or people in power does not arise unless they themselves are perpetrating the crime.

The Department of Tourism needs to play the role of a teacher — spread the word about what is expected when visiting different places in Goa, not just Sao Tome or Fontainhas, because the malaise has spread far and wide. If Goa can be sold abroad it will be far easier to sell civic sense at home.

If they refuse to learn or get educated, then the law needs to come into play, and law and order is the domain of the police and not the poor wardens, who will curse the day they were chosen to march along the streets, putting sense into those who behave otherwise.

Goa Tourism’s 7 commandments for Fontainhas

After the Department of Tourism, the police play a role in controlling the menace that is turning to be a nightmare for the citizens who live along the streets; many of them being senior citizens.

If a tourist thinks he is above the law, arrest him. And believe me, within seconds, this will get viral and then see the response from tourists. One small pinch is enough to get the convoy thinking.

Politicians or elected representatives are not the solution to the problem. Sometimes, plain simple common sense helps. Just give it a gentle nudge, it will help burst the balloon where the concept that India is the country with the highest per capita opinion, rests.