Team Herald
PANJIM: The Save Old Goa Action Committee on Friday submitted over 20,000 new signatures of people demanding a Master Plan to save the UNESCO World Heritage site at Old Goa after the Exposition of ‘Amcho Goencho Saib’ and to stop all illegalities and unwanted projects in the area.
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In a memorandum submitted to the Chief Minister, Save Old Goa Action Committee President Fatima Pereira said, “We urge you to investigate all the illegalities which are being planned within the non-permitted zones as it will destroy the sanctity of our world heritage site and the sacred ecosystem of the place.”
With this latest submission, the total number of signatures opposing unwanted projects in the area has risen to 34,170, Pereira said, referencing the 13,585 signatures submitted in September and October.
Peter Viegas, committee coordinator, said, “Many illegal constructions are coming up in the buffer zone of the heritage sites. If this continues, then the UNESCO heritage tag will go. This will give the Central government the opportunity to say that these monuments are not important.”
Viegas said that the group is urging the Chief Minister, who is chairman of the high-level Exposition committee, to come forward after the end of the Exposition and develop a Master Plan. “If the government can make proper arrangements for parking, cleanliness and facilities for pilgrims during the Exposition then why can’t it continue this after the Exposition?”
He said the Committee has sought an appointment with CM Sawant but has not gotten a meeting yet. “We are waiting for the CM’s response. If no decision is taken, we will be forced to approach the court,” he said.
“There have been instances in some countries where heritage tags were removed because of constructions taking place near monumental sites. We fear that same may happen at Old Goa also. There is already an illegal bungalow. The Highway has come up. O Heraldo had highlighted the report of Mamlatdar that 54 illegal constructions are coming up in the area,” he said.
Vincent D’Silva, an Old Goa resident, said, “We are demanding that the system which is in place during the exposition should continue and we are sure this is possible if there is a Master Plan. The Master Plan will put a full stop on the illegalities.”
