Hundreds protest ASI activities in Old Goa
HERALD CORRESPONDENT
OLD GOA, FEB 6
In an effort to save heritage sites at Old Goa and surroundings areas, hundreds of people on Sunday organised a peaceful demonstration at the Gandhi Circle at Old Goa.
The peaceful demonstration was organised to bring to the attention of the State government about the Archeological Survey of India’s alleged illegal activities that have been going on in and around Old Goa Church Complex.
The demonstration which was organised by ‘Save Old Goa Action Committee’ was attended by nuns, sisters and locals from Old Goa and surrounding villages.
The demonstration was also organised to protest against tree cutting and destruction of environment going in and around the heritage site at Old Goa, besides rampant construction of big buildings around the heritage site, which as per the guidelines no construction is allowed within the radius of 100 mts and constructions are restricted beyond 100-300 mts.
The committee members also raised concern over the State government which is yet to come up with a Master Plan to protect the world heritage site.
“We organised a peace march raising concerns over Old Goa heritage site which is being destroyed by some people even though there is a need to save the heritage site at Old Goa, but now we see the builders lobby trying to create destruction in Old Goa,” Save Old Goa Action Committee member Peter Viegas told Herald.
“We want to create awareness among every Goan that time has come to save the heritage site at Old Goa,” added Viegas.
“We want to bring to the attention of the State government that master plan which was made for Old Goa should be kept in front of the common man within a month or else we will approach each and every Church in the state and take decide on future course of action by adopting non-violence and peaceful methods,” warned Viegas.
Social worker from Calvaddo-Corlim Baptist Pereira said: “Until and unless whatever that has been destroyed in and around Old Goa is not restored to its original condition, we will continue with our agitation.”
“At the same time for all this illegal activities, I fully blame the ASI for neglecting the issue and not showing its concern in protecting the world heritage site,” added Pereira.
