PANJIM: Social activists on Monday criticised the the State government’s proposal to levy a fine to the tune of Rs 50,000 on those who film any protected monument or sites owned by the government without taking necessary permissions and paying the requisite fee, calling it a tactic to distract people from the core issue of protecting the heritage sites.
The government issued a draft notification amending the Goa Ancient Monuments and Archaeological Sites and Remains Rules and has sought feedback from stakeholders in this regard within 30 days.
Social activist Anthony D’Silva said, “What is the big deal about filming a monument, considering that today videos and images of all the protected sites are available online. Question is how protected monuments or sites will benefit with such kinds of rules? Imposing a fine for filming is irrelevant. The fine should be imposed on those people who have committed illegalities in the protected areas.”
Citing an example, he said that an illegal bungalow (in Old Goa) has been constructed and to protect that signatures have been forged. They should be punished.
“This decision has been taken to misguide the people and divert their attention from the core issue of protecting the monuments. What is important is that those who have done wrong and caused physical damage to the protected areas, should be brought to book,” D’Silva said.
Architect Tulio de Sousa said, “Government’s idea to impose a penalty is basically to enforce a decision of the government to charge some amount on filming monuments for commercial purposes. But I don’t think the government is in a position to levy any fine for breach of the government regulations of imposing some fees.”
“I want to ask the government how much money has it paid or even committed for the maintenance and protection of these monuments. I see most of the monuments in very bad shape. They are not paid any attention. Even their day-to-day maintenance is not looked after and the government does not appear to have a roadmap or policy or budgetary provision to look after these monuments. The question is, will the government be able to maintain these monuments by imposing fines?”
“In Old Goa, an illegal bungalow is coming up within the vicinity of a protected area. What steps has the government taken to prevent it? No doubt the matter is sub judice, but it is being vehemently protested by the civil society and other heritage lovers. However, the government has so far not withdrawn permission granted to the project,” he said.
However, historian and heritage activist, Prajal Sakhardande termed it as a good move and suggested that even those throwing garbage at the heritage sites should be fined.
“I feel it’s a good move on the part of the government as huge unauthorised filming was going on. Let the people who need to film seek permission and pay a fee to film. Plus the Archaeology Department, the State government and the ASI should impose a fine on all those who litter around the historical monuments and historical heritage sites.”
‘”All the garbage offenders should be fined. I have seen people throwing garbage, plastic, chips packets and chocolate wrappers around the monuments, especially Old Goa. They should be fined. People write graffiti on walls and scribble on walls. I have seen youngsters defacing forts. I request the government to introduce a fine to all these garbage offenders,” Sakhardande said.
Heritage expert Sanjeev V Sardesai said, “I think the proposal is okay because when somebody is filming he or she may not care about the heritage site and its importance. For them it is just a film. Sometimes they damage it. There is no need to stop the filming, but there is a need to tell the people that they have to take care.”
Heta Pandit, independent researcher and author on Goan heritage, said, “No objections to imposing rules on filming in heritage areas and around monuments. The question is, are these fines or fees going to be diverted to protect the heritage sites in any way?”
Architect Dean D’Cruz said, “They should be equally concerned about the damage done to our natural heritage of cutting forests, filling fields, destroying water bodies, and dirtying beaches. Where are the fines for them?”
