OLD GOA
Chimbel residents, historians and activists have expressed opposition to a proposed ‘Old Age Home’ project by the Provedoria, which is planned very close to the heritage site of Mount Carmel Chapel and convent at Chimbel.
Speaking at a media conference at the site on Tuesday under the banner of ‘Mount Carmel Conservation Association of Chimbel’, the locals have raised strong objections over the demarcation done for a proposed ‘Old Age Home’ by the Provedoria in close proximity of the ruins in total violations of law.
Secretary of the Association Ana Gracias said they fought a hard battle to get authorities to declare the historic ruins of Mount Carmel Chapel and convent as a heritage site.
“But finding that demarcation was done in close proximity of the structure, it was very shocking. It is already published in the Gazette that the ruins of the Mount Carmel Chapel and convent are declared a heritage site, and nothing can come up within 100 metres of its proximity,” Gracias informed.
“We approached TCP officials and they have promised that they will not allow anything to come up here. But, since it was oral assurance, we are not taking any chances and will take the issue forward. Already, there is an Old Age Home building of the Provedoria and they could use the space for the project,” she added.
Historian Prajal Sakhardande said it appeared there was a communication gap between the TCP and the Provedoria, as Provedoria officials were unaware that the structure is declared as a heritage site.
“The Provedoria officials should look into the matter as it originally belongs to the Carmelite. The most historical significance of this Church is that it is the first church of the Goan priests wherein Goan priests on their own initiative had built it between 1747-49,” said Sakhardande, while appealing to the Provedoria to stay away from these ruins.
“They have a lot of space on the other side which they could use for their project,” he said.
Vice-President of the Association Nifa Fernandes said the elation that they got after getting the ruins declared as heritage site turned into despair when one month back the Provedoria officials started demarcation on the ruins of the structure.
“It was very shocking. We are not against any construction or development. But this is the wrong place for a project to come up. We have to maintain the sanctity of the heritage. Request the government to shift the project anywhere else,” Fernandes stated.
While thanking local MLA Tony Fernandes for his support, Fernandes urged him to follow up on his promise that he would request the chief minister to revert the land back to the Carmelites.
Carmelite priest stresses on
importance of heritage site
OLD GOA: A Carmelite priest Fr Ronald D’Souza outlined the various reasons why the site of Mount Carmel Chapel and convent at Chimbel is significant from a historical and heritage perspective.
“It is a unique contribution of Chimbel to the world. It is Asia’s first indigenous Carmelite congregation. It is the very first religious order among native Goans to allow non-Brahmicals to become priests. It was founded and built by Goans. It also hosted the very first mental institution in Goa. The first church in Pune diocese was found by the Carmelite priests who lived here,” Fr D’Souza informed.
“This is the reason why we want to treasure this monument as it has wonderful history and traditions around it. We have gathered here to preserve this for the generations to come. The government’s plan will be detrimental to this heritage structure,” he further said.
When questioned whether the Carmelites would take legal recourse to reclaim possession of the land, Fr D’Souza said they did not want any confrontation at the moment.
“If the government is willing to hand over the land to the Carmelites peacefully, there won’t be any need to take legal recourse. However, we are in the process of translating all documents that are in our possession, just in case,” the priest informed.
Fr D’Souza also informed that the Carmelites are also willing to take up conservation work of the façade of the church, which is in a precarious situation. “We will raise funds if the government does not have funds,” he added.
