Goa, Aug. 3 -- The Goa Assembly has enacted the Goa Tourist Places (Protection and Maintenance) Amendment Bill, 2025, in direct response to an unprecedented surge of tourists, over 54.5 lakh in just the first half of the year. Recognizing the strain on Goa's popular beaches, heritage sites, and tourist hubs, the new legislation empowers authorities to take strict action against unauthorized touting, illegal hawking, alcohol consumption in prohibited zones, littering, public nuisance, and other disruptive practices that have marred the tourism experience. Fines for such offenses have been substantially raised, with penalties now ranging from Rs.5,000 up to Rs.1 lakh, depending on the severity and nature of the violation. The law also broad...