Heritage lovers demand proper notification of monuments

PANJIM, MAY 20
The heritage lovers in Goa have demanded that the state government should look after upkeep of 52 monuments, which are neglected grossly.
 “There are 52 monuments which have been listed by the state government. There is an immediate need for their protection and upkeep,” Goa Heritage Action Group (GHAG) has said.
The group earlier had submitted memorandum to Chief Minister Digambar Kamat bringing to his notice utter negligence of these monuments.
The group said that they with the support of INTACH, the Corporation of City of Panaji (CCP) and the Department of Archives and Archaeology have made a comprehensive listing of heritage structures in the state.
“This list needs to be recognized and the protection of law needs to be given,” GHAG vice president Prajal Sakhardande said.
Their unsuccessful attempt to save a heritage structure in Panjim from being razed to make way for modern building has also forced the heritage activists to demand proper notification of such buildings scattered across the state.
“All the heritage buildings should be notified so that proper protection can be provided to them,” Sakhardande said.
He said that the authorities remain helpless as the builders raze down heritage structures as they are legally not notified.
Various Indo-Portuguese architect splendours have been crumbled under pressure of modernization and real estate prices. The latest one was a building next to Corporation CCP, which was although listed as heritage structure, it was not notified.
“The government of India has been requesting the state governments to frame heritage regulations since 1998. Subsequently, the public as well as heritage lovers have made various representations to the government to act on the same,” the memorandum reads.
It further states that Maharashtra has already incorporated regulations in Mumbai, Kolhapur, Nagpur, Aurangabad and Mahabaleshwar.
Sakhardande said that various other states including Jammu and Kashmir have already framed heritage regulations. “These regulations come under the ambit of Urban Development Ministry and there is no need for a separate committee to frame them,” he said.
The heritage activists have also demanded preservation of Kaavi art.
“This is unique form of art. Various temples of this sort have been identified by the GHAG and we request the government to support their restoration,” the memorandum reads.