Good news for finally come for heritage lovers. The neglected Caves at Chicalim, believed to be pre-Portuguese era structures, which have immense archaeological importance might be declared as protected site soon.

According to the information, after receiving letters from President of Goa Heritage Action Group (GHAG) Prajal Sakhardande, a team led by member secretary of Goa State Biodiversity Board (GSBB) Pradeep Sarmukadam along with team led by conservation committee of Goa Government led by Assistant Superintendent Archaeologist with Archives and Archaeology Government of Goa Varad Sabnis, along with members of GHAG, heritage activists Tejas Pandit, Members of Chicalim Village action committee and members of Chicalim Biodiversity Board Chairperson Rui Araujo held a joint inspection at the neglected caves at Chicalim to find out whether the site has some biodiversity importance.

“Soon after we received representation from GHAG, even GSBB wanted to know whether the site has any connection with biodiversity within the caves or not and whether the same needs any protection or not. Thus we held joint inspection at the site and we found that there is no biodiversity as such at the site but definitely has some archeological history and conservation of such site would be a welcome step as these are ancient caves. So I have asked the Archives and Archaeology officials to give us fresh report on the caves,” member secretary GSBB Pradeep Sarmukadam told herald.

Interestingly in last six months this is second such joint inspection held at Chicalim caves site. 

In September last year a team of conservation committee of Goa Government led by Assistant Superintendent Archeologist with Archives and Archaeology Government of Goa Varad Sabnis, Principal of Goa college of Architecture Dr Ashish Rege, Chief Architect PWD Arvind Gomes, Assistant Director of Tourism Department Subhas Kavlekar, officials of land survey department and members of Chicalim Village Panchayat had inspected the site.

It was then decided that the team would take up study on these neglected caves and would submit their report before Conservation committee of Government of Goa.

During the inspection, the team had opined that they need to study these very interesting holes in the ground to establish whether the same were used as burial ground or for some other purpose.

After this second crucial inspection, GHAG and Chicalim villagers hope the government will soon issue notification protecting these caves.