Team Herald
MARGAO: The Save Old Goa Action Committee (SOGAC) is intensifying its protest against the government’s lack of action to preserve the heritage of Old Goa, with plans to submit an additional 15,000 individual memorandums to Chief Minister Pramod Sawant. These documents demand the creation of a comprehensive heritage master plan for the Old Goa heritage site.
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Peter Viegas, the Convenor of SOGAC, stated that the committee’s signature drive is still ongoing at the village level, continuing to garner support for the heritage plan. To date, the committee has already submitted approximately 14,000 individual memorandums, all urging the creation of a heritage master plan for Old Goa.
The SOGAC has also expressed strong opposition to 12 development projects proposed for the Old Goa area, raising concerns that these initiatives could threaten the village’s historical value.
Viegas accused the government of being part of a conspiracy to undermine the heritage significance of Old Goa. He pointed out that despite the site’s recognition by the Archaeological Survey of India (ASI), the government has failed to officially designate it as a heritage site. Viegas believes that the government’s inaction is a deliberate attempt to strip Old Goa of its heritage status, potentially jeopardising its UNESCO recognition.
“We don’t understand the reason behind the action from the government,” Viegas stated, expressing frustration over the government’s stance.
