Team Herald
Margao/Panjim: Before the decision had been taken by the State government to scrap the proposal to include Old Goa area into Greater Panjim Planning and Development Area (GPPDA), the Goa Forward Party (GFP) had written to the Union Minister for Tourism and Culture, Pralhad Singh Patel, demanding his interjection to save the UNESCO world heritage site of Old Goa from commercialization.
Later on Tuesday night, Sardesai tweeted, “ This is the power of #opposition, I am so proud of all #Goemkars who stood with us to #SaveOldGoa. While @BabuKavlekar says his dept studied the situation, we will remain #vigilant to ensure the government finds no loopholes. #GoenchoSaib’s blessing is on all of us. #GoaForward
Earlier, his letter expressed urgency demanding on behalf of the people of Goa, and its children, that the Ministry interjects as a national institution and defender of archaeological sites in India to preserve and protect India’s UNESCO world heritage sites in Old Goa.
“Inscribed as a UNESCO world heritage site in 1986, Old Goa is well known for its rich built heritage and culture has more than 50 monuments and sites of high significance. Since the 15th century, the sites that stand today are not only acclaimed cultural and historical monuments but are symbols of faith for the numerous Goan Catholics that express their devotion to their religion and culture – but most especially to the blessed remains of St. Francis Xavier,” explained Sardesai, the State former Minister for Archives and Archaeology.
He also mentioned how on November 20, he was alerted and alarmed to learn that the State government had decided to place Ella village of Old Goa under the GPPDA.
“This is a blatant act of encroachment of the Old Goa boundaries determined by UNESCO. Under these provisions, the Government of Goa could allow building height to reach 30 meters in various commercial zones as against the 9-meter height restriction which is currently allowed. The people of Goa are concerned that the suggested govt policies to allow development in Old Goa would destroy the skyline and heritage monuments of Old Goa protected by the Archaeological Survey of India,” said Vijai in that letter.
While referring to the Constitution, he spoke about how Goa could lose its charm and heritage. He alsopointed out that in 2010, the State had previously published ‘The Goa Land Development and Building Construction Regulation 2010’ to preserve, conserve and manage the Heritage monuments and structures of Old-Goa, but today, ten years later – the present Goa government is seeking to destroy, hurt and tarnish these same monuments that thousands from around the world come to visit and venerate.
“New proposed developments that are coming are taller in height, wider in size, and more in coverage and Floor Area Ratio (FAR) within the vicinity of Old Goa allow the visibility of these heritage structures to be overshadowed and the very purpose of protecting these monuments will be defeated. We demand that Old Goa be declared a Heritage Zone, as proposed by numerous archeological and engineering experts that have raised this issue since 2015 and have offered viable solutions and strategies to protect and preserve the world heritage sites of Goa,” Vijai added.
“This is a protest we are not willing to give up on, and we strongly urge the cultural community of India to stand united with the people of Goa to defend and preserve the future of our history” Vijai added.
