PANJIM: Delilah Lobo, the Vice-Chairperson of the Entertainment Society of Goa (ESG), has advised the people living in the Fontainhas and Sao Tome neighbourhoods in Panjim to promptly report if any illegal commercial filming is happening in their respective areas.
She asserted that commercial filming anywhere in the State Goa is prohibited without ESG’s permission and also urged the affected locals to be on the lookout for such activities occurring in those lanes.
Responding to complaints being raised by locals, Lobo said it is imperative that anyone witnessing such incidents report them to the closest police station so that proper action can be taken.
She, however, put the onus on the Corporation of the City of Panaji (CCP) Corporators, stating that their prompt intervention is essential in ensuring the preservation of the heritage area, which is now a popular backdrop for filming, is maintained. She added that locals from Fontainhas and Sao Tome could even notify their local ward councillor and provide photographic or video evidence, which they could then forward to ESG, which would then enable ESG to take the appropriate action.
It may be recalled that in December last year, CCP had written to the North Goa District Collector, asking the Collector’s office to notify them of the ban on film shooting and commercial photography in the Sao Tome area of the capital city.
In that letter CCP Commissioner Clen Madeira said that the decision to put a ban on film shooting and commercial photography in the area was taken in a meeting of CCP held on July 19, 2023.
“The CCP, in its ordinary meeting dated July 19, 2023, decided to put a ban on film shooting and commercial photography in the Sao Tome area of Panjim-Goa as a lot of complaints have been received from residents that film shooting crews, social influencers, and commercial photographers have become a public nuisance and disturbance to the peace and tranquilly in the area,” Madeira said.
As of now, the Tourism Department has erected boards in Sao Tome asking the tourists to respect boundaries and to resist blocking the roads for photography, over speeding or going on the wrong side, encroaching or stepping in people’s properties, littering or behaving in a loud/obnoxious manner.
