PANAJI, GOA (TIP): Tourists drinking in public or littering on beaches and tourist spots will face trouble soon, as the government of Goa has decided to crack the whip against offenders. If caught flinging liquor bottles on the beach or any tourist spot or even drinking in public, they may end up behind bars for a term of not less than three months. This may be extend up to three years and they may be slapped with an additional fine, which may go up to Rs 5000 ($100.00 roughly). “Anyone one found drinking, breaking bottles or littering the tourists place with broken bottles or liquor cans and pouches will be penalized under Goa Tourist Places protection and maintenance Act, 2001,” a tourism official said. Goa tourism department issued directives on April 24, 2013 to curb drunken behavior and nuisance at tourists places, especially the beaches .

Many cases of injuries to swimmers have been reported due to shards of liquor bottles in the Candolim-Calangute beach belt in north Goa. The IRB tourists police, IRB police sub inspector and flying squads of the tourism department have been given strict orders to keep watch at tourist places, he said.