SAMIR UMARYE
BICHOLIM
Such has been its desire to promote Goa as a beach destination, that the State government is now being accused of forgetting its own commitment to promote hinterland tourism.
Unhappy that historic sites are being ignored, locals from Bicholim and historians have blamed all elected representatives, the archaeology department and the government for having neglected these sites in the interior areas of the State.
In fact, North Goa and Union Tourism Minister Shripad Naik had frequently expressed the need and desire to develop hinterland tourism, but he is yet to come up with any concrete plan.
“Goa is not just about beaches, but there are several undiscovered places which could be explored. We would stress on hinterland tourism which has the potential to develop in Goa,” Naik had earlier told Herald.
“Tourists should be taken to the villages and we will chalk out a plan in this regard,” he had said.
Locals from Bicholim taluka have begun questioning the assurances of Naik and demand to know why historic sites in the taluka have been neglected.
“If the MP claims that he would develop hinterland tourism, then places of historical importance should have been highlighted on Goa’s tourism map,” claimed Deelip Dhargalkar from Lamgao.
“The Tourism Department’s brochure only mentions about Mayem Lake and the Saptakoteshwar Temple and tourists are only taken to these two places. There are several other historically important places in the area and they are hidden from the tourists.”
“We have the famous Lama Caves at Lamgao and the Nimujga which are equally historic, but no one is bothered about maintaining or highlighting these sites. If these sites are maintained and promoted, tourists could be brought to these places and it could generate employment to the locals.”
“The department is not bothered about the Lama caves, from where the Lamgao village probably got its name. Mining sludge has entered the caves and their tunnels are totally blocked. The government has installed a signboard that they are protected sites, but they have never really been protected,” Dhargalkar added.
When contacted, historian Prajal Sakhardande came down heavily on the State’s Archaeology Department and said the department has been of little value to the State.
“There are several places of historical importance, but only 50 of them have been notified and the department is not even trying to maintain them. Chief Minister Manohar Parrikar and the minister concerned should look into this and the old monuments should be protected and preserved,” Sakhardande said.
“There are several places in Bicholim itself and they are craving for attention. There are caves from Lamgao and Narve, while the Namajga offers a panoramic view of the entire Bicholim. Besides, there is a fort at Sanquelim and Khorjuem, while a huge Shiv Linga is at Latambarcem. Several such places could well have been highlighted on the tourism map,” added Sakhardande.
“If these places are developed, they will not only by protected, but they could also provide job opportunities to the villagers,” he said.
Meanwhile, attempts to contact the Director of Archaeology proved futile as he was not in the office.
