Safeguarding our legacy through heritage conservation

The State government has begun the process of drafting India’s first ever policy to conserve and protect Portuguese-era structures in the state. The move is receiving huge kudos not just for preserving buildings, but also as a mean to preserve the art, culture and history of the state

| 01st March 2020, 03:20 am

#TGLIFE

In what is looked at as a prudent move to conserve, preserve and promote heritage structures in the State and give it a new lease of life, the Goa government has begun the process of formulating a policy for the heritage conservation of these Portuguese-era structures.

The policy, which is claimed to be the country’s first-ever such policy, is proposed to be ready by the end of this year. This envisioned step by the State machinery is proposed to be ready by year-end and strives to protect over 100 heritage sites.

It is learnt that certain non-governmental organisations, schools and self-help groups will be entrusted with responsibility to maintain the heritage structures. Local bodies like panchayats and municipal councils will act as guardians of these architectural monuments.

It is also understood that the state-run Goa College of Architecture in Panaji will be empaneled to document heritage structures, monuments and sites in the State so that they can be preserved better.

It has come to our knowledge that the State Archives and Archaeology Department had listed 51 monuments and structures under the protected category, including ruins, chapels, convents, church, temples and forts.

The Church of Our Lady of Monte at Ella, site of the temple of Saptakoteshwar at Naroa, Divadi, British Cemetery at Dona Paula, the site of the fortress at St Estevem, the site where the ancient image of Buddha was discovered at Colvale, Reis Magos Fort, Chapora Fort, Gate of Rachol Fortress, Caves of Aquem in Margao, Cabo de Rama Fort, ruins of Jaina Basti, Bandora are among the listed protected monuments and structures.

TG Life spoke to a couple of heritage crusaders in the State to find out on what they thought of the implementation of a heritage policy for Goa.

Heritage in India is regulated and protected by the Ancient Monuments and Archaeological (Sites and Remains) Act, 1958 (ASI Act). In addition, respective States have counterpart legislations to regulate and protect monuments under their purview.

 30 structures identified as world as well as national heritage

 Apart from that, 51 structures have been identified as state heritage under the protected category, including ruins, chapels, convents, church, temples, forts

 Several areas earmarked as conservation zones

 Also being preserved are around 2 crore documents pertaining to Portuguese rule which throw more light on the state’s heritage. The documents will be translated into English as well as digitised

Collective participation of all stakeholders needed

The heritage policy done by the administrators and elected representatives would be modern art – i.e. nobody, except the painter understands it. A good win-win policy is a desperate need of the hour and requires a collective participation of all stakeholders, which includes educational institutions through the Directorate of Education, villagers (not panchayats/panchas), passionate heritage lovers, general public and ‘historians’ (either academic or time-tested). Originality, authenticity, commercial viability, strict law and order implementation, safety and immediate medical facilities, proper and clean toilets facilities, employment generation and most importantly ‘not boring classroom guiding’ should be the basis of this much needed policy.

— Sanjeev Sardesai, heritage promoter

Scheme for heritage houses must be included

It’s our bounden duty to preserve our legacy for posterity. We at the Goa Heritage Action Group have been trying to have a heritage policy in place since 2001 but to no avail. The government’s move is thus a welcome one and will strengthen heritage tourism. No development zones, buffer zones, maintaining the heritage character of a historical site without any tampering should be the focus of such a policy. The thrust on preserving intangible heritage should also be incorporated. A scheme for heritage houses should be the core to this policy such that these properties are not dwarfed by oversize modern buildings. A heritage maintenance fund should also be provided as an incentive to such house owners. Regular conservation needs to be undertaken. More conservation zones need to be found. Heritage buildings should not be allowed to be pulled down. Instead, dilapidated buildings must be conserved.

— Prajal Sakhardande, heritage activist and historian