PANAJI
The Archives and Archaeological department has started the process to identify Hindu temples and structures that were destroyed during the Portuguese rule.
Chief Minister Pramod Sawant in his Budget has declared that Rs 20 crore has been allocated for restoration of Hindu temples that were destroyed during Portuguese era.
“After declaration in the budget speech we have received information from the office of Chief Minister to prepare an extensive list of such monuments which were destroyed during the Portuguese regime,” Varad Sabnis Public Relation Officer and Assistant Superintending Archaeologist of Directorate of Archives and Archaeology said.
“To carry out restoration of all the monuments that were destroyed during the Portuguese regime we need to have such a database. Work to create such a database has begun,” said Sabnis.
He also said they have initiated a survey to note down all those monuments which suffered during Portuguese rule.
Sabnis said Goa needs to have a database on the lines of national mission on monuments and antiquities.
“We are creating a database of all such archaeological monuments on the same lines. Based on the database further instructions will be sought from higher authorities,” he said.
Sabnis also said that Goa has 51 monuments and sites of archaeological importance which are notified by the Directorate of Archives and Archaeology.
“Apart from these, there are 21 monuments and sites which are of national importance which are notified by the Archaeological Survey of India,” he added.
Sabnis said keeping aside these monuments and sites which have legal protection, there are thousands of heritage structures that are scattered in all villages and urban areas of Goa.
So far we don’t have a list of such monuments. We intend to have this database, said Sabnis.
“Normally restoration work is done by the Department of Archaeology however in this case the restoration work will be taken depending upon the instruction of the government and further course of action will be initiated,” he said.
“We have informally started our work but the formal work will start after some time,” elaborated Sabnis.
