However much one may wish to avoid castigating the Government regularly, surely not without reason, for its acts of omission and commission, it appears that we will have no respite in creating awareness and drawing Government’s attention even to its own acts or others, where its support or connivance cannot be ignored.
Speaking recently, at the inauguration of Multipurpose Cyclone Centre in Margao, the CM is believed to have warned people against burying fields and said that he won’t allow constructions in NDZs, to avoid a Wayanad type of catastrophe. Was it a jumla, will he claim having been wrongly quoted or was it, at last, a change of heart, is what we really wonder or is he making activists and well-meaning people feel like fools, as aren’t these very issues they have been fighting for in the streets and expensive Courts? And aren’t these mainly promoted or supported by his Govt, despite some raps from the Courts? But, let me leave this for some
other time.
Old Goa has a rich history and is the greatest attraction of this world tourist destination. No wonder that, like many other historical places in India, Old Goa was chosen as a UNESCO protected site, covering an area of approximately 800 hectares and many important monuments like the Basilica and the Cathedral. India is not only a founding member of UNESCO but is also part of its World Heritage Committee and a signatory to various Conventions including Safeguarding Intangible Cultural Heritage.
Instead of priding in UNESCO’s tag, as a world acknowledgment of Old Goa’s history and being happy that it is a great source of revenue to the tourism industry, recent happenings seem to suggest that a veiled attempt is being made either at destroying Old Goa or diminishing its importance, perhaps because it is mainly derived from the existence, past and present, of Catholic Churches and Convents.
Perhaps, it all started with an illegal bungalow of a former Minister, who recently accused this Government of being busy in counting money - a statement he later retracted. Allegedly, his construction was within 300 metres of the protected Basilica. Not surprisingly, the bungalow got a reprieve from the Panchayat, headed by none other than the wife of the owner, stating that all permissions were obtained. However, the report of Tiswadi Mamlatdar, submitted to High Court includes this and structures of some Panchayat functionaries among the 54 in Old Goa heritage zone
It may be recalled that, in 2014, before the Exposition, late CM Parrikar had demolished 156 structures around the Basilica. Old Goa has a history of illegal structures in the prohibited or regulated zone, with Panchayats and the Government doing very little about them. In January 2025, the Additional Director of Panchayats reversed Old Goa Panchayat demolition order of 12 structures, which allegedly did not have either Panchayat or ASI’s permission. Whether some structures will get the axe, with the recent High Court order on illegalities, or whether they will get “protection” in the Protected Heritage zone, is to be seen.
The illegalities in Old Goa came to a climax, with the controversial construction of a bungalow, allegedly belonging to a spokesperson of the BJP, a few yards away from another protected monument, the Convent of St Cajetan. Massive protests, demolition orders by the Panchayat, hunger strikes, etc never worked, for obvious reasons and the matter now lies with the Supreme Court, which is scheduled to hear the case on May 20. In most cases, as in this too, a totally new one storey bungalow appeared where permission was obtained for repairs for an allegedly different structure.
As the protests had died down, awaiting SC decision, another issue cropped up, where heavy excavation was carried out by GTDC for the so-called PILGRIMAGE REJUVENATION AND SPIRITUAL AUGMENTATION DRIVE (PRASAD). Whereas permissions for works are obtained from the Archaeological Office in Delhi, the ASI in Goa is required to inspect and supervise them, which apparently was not done in Surveys Nos 154/1, 2 & 3, in front of the Basilica, which was often used for parking and falls within 100 metres of the protected monument. It is surprising that the Government seemed more interested in finding out how the rumour of a mall coming up there, has surfaced, possibly with the aim of targeting the activists. It was obvious from videos, which went viral, that some cannon balls were seen at spot and possibly some could have been taken away alongwith excavated mud. Even a day or two after the complaints, the balls were lying unattended. They are evidence that something historical existed at the place and such careless attitude doesn’t behove of people in charge of artefacts and archaeological remains.
The “Save Old Goa Action Committee” has been the watch dog for the happenings, with some committed stalwarts like Peter Viegas, Glen Cabral and others keeping an eye and creating awareness among the people. 35,000 people have represented to the Government that a Master Plan is needed for Old Goa. They have protested against the mushrooming of projects due to come up in the Heritage Zone, which include four farm houses with 10 bedrooms each and swimming pools, concealed as water tanks, a floating jetty, a
helipad, etc.
It is surely not that things are happening without the knowledge of the Government. In fact, they very much are and perhaps its approval and connivance cannot be ruled out. Every beautiful place in Goa is under attack by the land mafia, which has the tacit support of the Government. But unless there is a hidden purpose behind it, can Old Goa be spared from destruction and unnecessary development, which could even result in losing
UNESCO tag?
(The author is a
retired banker)