The Price of ‘Progress’
Joao Barros Pereira
The destruction of Goa’s environment began decades ago. As a teenager living in a coastal village I was traumatized to see a fertilizer factory constructed on a hill above Velsao, one of the most beautiful beaches in the world. Who could have done this unspeakable act? No one other than the first chief minister of Goa! Later, the factory became more than an eyesore, it started spewing arsenic causing fish to die and be washed ashore. The workers, some of whom built the factory four decades ago decided to stay, to put down roots in Goa which subsequently has been watered by politicians through the years making Sancoale one of the biggest slums in Goa today. While it is true the factory does employ a lot of people, what percentage of Goans and at what level of service, I do not know. Facts and figures from the factory are always welcome. The fact is all this heartache could have been avoided if the factory had been set up in an industrial estate, away from a beautiful beach. At the time the factory was built, industrial estates were not a concept in industry.
In 2013, how do we access the damage to the environment? Further, people who live near the factory are outsiders who have become insiders, who in future might well make Goans outsiders, if they have not already done so! Is the future of Sancoale in the hands of Goans or outsiders? Can this trend be stopped or will the virus spread beyond to other parts of Goa, going far beyond the control of Goans? As with any destructive process there always is the proverbial hand of the politician, in this slum or any other. Are we Goans suicidal?
Panjim now has a new mayor with a reputation for being sincere and honest, as far as a politician is capable of having these qualities. Does his heart beat for Panjim? If so, then he should object to the proposal to construct a revolving restaurant above the upcoming Mandovi Bridge, as it does not harmonize with the surrounding architectural landscape of the city. If built the bridge will be a sore thumb, and the original inhabitants of Panjim will shed tears in so great a quantity, the Mandovi may well flood its banks.
People in power who do not have a historic or aesthetic sense are a danger to the environment, as is clear from observing the new buildings in Goa. As Goa now has its fair share of big, ugly buildings, it is easy to see the gaping contrast with beautiful historic buildings, especially in the capital city of Panjim. The government only recently has begun to appreciate these buildings, which is a good sign, as tourists are more interested in them than modern, air-conditioned boxes which are available anywhere in the big cities in India and all over the world. Tourists come to Goa, in part, to enjoy the unique Panjim architectural landscape. We hope ugly modern buildings will not continue to surround more and more heritage sites and places where there are authentic Goan buildings, and destroy their ambience! The disfiguration of Panjim unfortunately began more than four decades ago. If modern buildings are needed, common sense tells us to locate them in an area away from buildings which express our architectural heritage as the two styles do not go well together. There is a place for modernity in Goa. But it is not next to a heritage site or old Goan house or building. Hope the tourism minister asks the city planners to drop this destructive idea and come to their senses, so that future generations of Goans and tourists enjoy the old heritage.
