Rampant unregulated devpt, encroachments cited
Historian Prajal Sakhardande, Elvis Gomes, Yogesh Nagvekar and Avertino Miranda addressing media conference on petition to Centre to save Old Goa heritage sites.
OLD GOA
A group of concerned citizens have petitioned the Union Ministry of Culture to protect Old Goa's heritage from rampant unregulated development, encroachments and heritage violations.
The petition has been addressed to the Secretary, Ministry of Culture by historian Prajal Sakhardande, former bureaucrat Elvis Gomes and heritage loves Yogesh Nagvekar.
Addressing reporters about the petition, Gomes said there are violations taking place like the construction of illegal bungalow in heritage zone, the heritage interpretation centre project and others.
Gomes further said that Old Goa is not only known for the Portuguese era heritage but also the pre-Portuguese era heritage which needs to be protected.
"However, there are many heritage areas dating as early as the 11th Century which are not identified as heritage sites like the Rajbid, a fort wall with an arched gate and moat along the Rajbid, the underground palace of the Soundekar Raja, military barracks, horse stables, fortification walls, water tanks, wells, a 16th-century chapel, lotus ponds, the Carambolim fort wall gate, etc," he added.
Historian Prajal Sakhardande said that Old Goa is declared as a UNESCO world heritage site site with seven monuments.
"However, rampant violations are taking place despite construction not allowed within 1 km radius," Prof. Sakhardande stated while adding that the ASI seems to be not doing much in protecting the heritage monuments.
"If this continues then the UNESCO status of Old Goa will be lost," he opined.
The petitioners have further given suggestions to employ a holistic approach to investigate the heritage of Old Goa of the pre-Portuguese and the Portuguese eras to prepare an excellent heritage tourism circuit which will not only boost the local economy but also keep the heritage intact.
Suggestion has also been made for stricter enforcement of existing heritage protection laws and regulations by the Archaeological Survey of India (ASI) and the National Monuments Authority (NMA).
"This includes regular and thorough monitoring and assessment of all construction activities occurring within the prohibited and regulated zones surrounding protected monuments. Any instances of illegal constructions and encroachments must be met with prompt and decisive action, including the initiation of legal proceedings and the enforcement of demolition orders where necessary," the petition states.
Other suggestions include formulation and implementation of a comprehensive heritage Master Plan, formulation of heritage bye-laws, addressing illegal constructions and encroachments, strategies for sustainable tourism, relocation of garbage treatment plant, etc.
