Team Herald
PANJIM: In a bid to protect the historical monuments from being defaced and encroached, the Directorate of Archives and Archaeology is contemplating installing closed circuit TV (CCTV) cameras at all 51 sites as part of its long-term initiative.
For now, the Directorate has appointed security guards across all its protected monuments along with utility attendants. The appointment has been done through the Goa Human Resource Development Corporation (GHRDC).
Defacement of monuments and the lack of maintenance had led to a public outcry over the need for protection for these sites, with most of them facing threats both from outsiders and insiders.
Speaking to Herald, Assistant Superintending Archaeologist Varad Sabnis said that the Directorate had observed defacement of monuments as well as encroachment of the areas.
“There was a need to beef up security at these sites and also day-to-day maintenance of monuments. It will also help us in maintaining the hygiene at the site,” he said.
Sabnis said that for now the duty of the security guards and utility attendants is from morning to evening and soon we will make it round-the-clock.
The archaeologist said that from the archaeological and tourism point of view, it was important to ensure these monuments are in good condition.
He said that as part of long term initiative, all the monuments will be brought under CCTV surveillance. “The proposal is there but it will be implemented as part of long term measure,” he said.
