Like many other decisions that were imposed on the local populace, here is another one. Six Goan tourist destinations figure in Centre’s ‘Adopt a Heritage’ list where two companies are shortlisted for the job -- Drishti Lifesaving Pvt Ltd and V-Resorts. Town and Country Planning Minister Vijai Sardessai’s assertion that Goa government was not kept in the loop when this decision was taken comes as a surprise since his Goa Forward is also part of the NDA, leave aside the BJP.
Under the project around 90-odd tourist destinations across the country will be adopted by corporate entities which will take care of maintenance and upkeep for a period of five years.
The ‘Adopt a Heritage’ project is a right step in terms of developing and maintenance of monuments, heritage and tourist sites across India, but has left several questions unanswered in terms of transparency and selection of the corporate sponsor. Up for Goa adoption is Old Goa church cluster, Basilica of Bom Jesus, Aguada Fort and Light House, Morjim beach, Chapora Fort and Cabo de Rama Fort. Maintenance by private entities would certainly score much higher when compared to government’s care. Tiracol and Reis Magos forts have seen a huge turnaround from the virtual state of ruins they were in, and it only amplifies the fact that the government has not been able to do much to protect our treasured monuments. The Chapora and Cabo de Rama forts have been neglected for years and just awaiting a breath of fresh air. If the state has to keep its historic landmarks alive, private adoption is definitely the way to go.
As things stand, almost every Goan will be forced into such a line of thought, considering the politics that is being played out in the State. With so much on the government’s platter, from fighting issues like regional plan, river nationalization, coal expansion, land development to fighting for its survival, the vision to fortify our treasured heritage sites appears to be completely blurred. It is against this fear that Goa’s heritage may get buried, just like the promise of Goem, Goemkar and Goemkarponn. But as we take this adoption step positively, there are some safeguards that need to be taken. We cannot ape the West and try to copy-paste their experiments just because they were success stories. Our ground realities are different. With a huge trust deficit between the people and the elected representatives, a fair, transparent and consultative process should be followed.
Government should come clean on the selection process of corporate players. It comes as a surprise when Drishti which is known for manning beaches through lifeguard services becomes a stakeholder in the upkeep and development of Goa’s monuments, including the Old Goa church cluster. Government should explain what prompted it to agree on Drishti despite the fact that manning beaches is a fry cry from maintaining monuments. The government should also exercise extreme caution while privatizing religious monuments. There are religious sentiments at stake and not taking stakeholders into confidence could have disastrous consequences.
