Team Herald
MARGAO: The Save Old Goa Action Committee on Thursday alleged a “conspiracy” to undermine Old Goa’s heritage significance.
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It pointed towards the government’s failure in officially designating the area as a heritage site in the Regional Plan (RP) 2021, despite recognition by the Archaeological Survey of India (ASI).
Committee Convenor Peter Viegas argued that this omission appears deliberate, suggesting it could open the doors to unchecked development and commercialisation that threatens Old Goa’s UNESCO World Heritage status.
Speaking to O Heraldo, Peter Viegas, the convenor of the Save Old Goa Action Committee, expressed serious concerns over the government’s failure to include the Old Goa heritage site in the Regional Plan (RP) 2021.
Viegas pointed out that, according to law, it is the government’s responsibility to mark all World Heritage Sites and significant monuments in the Regional Plan, but this has not been done for Old Goa. He alleged that this omission is deliberate, aimed at erasing the heritage significance of the area.
Frustrated by what they see as government apathy, the Committee announced plans to launch a massive signature campaign during the upcoming St Francis Xavier relic exposition, a major religious event in Old Goa. This campaign aims to draw attention to the committee’s demand for a comprehensive heritage master plan to protect Old Goa’s status as a historic and cultural landmark.
Viegas stressed that the lack of demarcation of protected areas on the RP raises a major red flag. He questioned the government’s intent, suggesting that such actions are part of a broader effort to undermine Old Goa’s heritage.
Peter Viegas further pointed out that while the Regional Plan (RP) does show the churches and the archaeological park at Old Goa, it fails to specify what kind of park it is, leaving the exact nature of the site unclear.
He recalled that in 2011, the Committee had formally written to the government, urging them to demarcate the World Heritage sites in the RP to ensure their protection. However, despite this appeal, no action has been taken to date. Viegas expressed growing fears that these ongoing lapses are part of a larger conspiracy to destroy the heritage value of Old Goa.
Peter Viegas, who was also part of the committee formed for the St. Francis Xavier relic exposition in 2014, highlighted that in the name of the exposition, the government carried out several developmental projects, including the construction of a parking area. However, Viegas pointed out that a massive structure is now being built on the same land that was initially designated for parking, raising suspicions about the government’s intentions.
He believes that the government is gradually taking control of valuable land in Old Goa during each exposition, which could be part of a larger plan to alter the character and integrity of the heritage site. Viegas expressed a strong concern that, over time, this could result in the destruction of the “paper view”—a critical aspect of maintaining the visual integrity of heritage monuments. Losing this view could jeopardise the site’s UNESCO World Heritage status, making the monuments vulnerable to losing their protected status altogether.
Furthermore, the Save Old Goa Action Committee has alleged that there are deliberate attempts to block funds from the Central government that are meant for the maintenance of Old Goa’s heritage sites. According to the committee, these actions have already begun, further threatening the preservation and upkeep of the historic landmarks in the area.
