AUGUSTO RODRIGUES
Hun dreds of people from dif ferent communities across the State converged at the Chapel of Our Lady of Monte on Sunday to pro test against what they believe is an alarming attempt to permit con struction within the buffer zone of the UNESCO World Heritage precinct. The hilltop chapel, de clared a protected monu ment by the Directorate of Archives and Archaeology, overlooks the historic vil lage that houses the relics of St Francis Xavier. Protesters said the battle is about pre venting what could become a steady erosion of heritage laws in favour of private de velopment. As the people marched towards the chapel, the message from the demon strators was clear: “We will preserve our heritage at any cost.” Villagers said tensions escalated a few days ago after a compound wall leading to Survey No 85/0 (Part) was broken illegally and a nearly 10-metre-tall water tank appeared on the property, which had alleg edly been granted technical clearance by the Town and Country Planning (TCP) Department on March 7, 2024, for the “proposed construction of a farm house, water harvesting tank and compound wall.” The technical clearance states that it is “valid for three years from the date of issue, provided the construction licence is is sued within the period of three years.” Accord ingly, the technical clear ance remains valid until March 7, 2027For residents, the developments appeared to signal that activity had begun at a location they believe should remain protected because of its proximity to the heritage monu ment. “Permission has been granted where there is no road ac cess and on a survey number that falls within the buffer zone. It is strange that neither the Archaeology Department nor, for that matter, the Panchayat has been consulted,” said local resident Olga Ferrao. To many present at the protest, the modus operandi of builders who, they alleged, have little regard for Goa is sim ple. “They apply saying they want to build a farmhouse and end up destroying the environment, clearing forests and building villas with swimming pools,” alleged Ferrao, who has been part of the Save Old Goa Action Committee since its inception. The ire of the speakers was directed not just at the TCP but also at the government for turning a blind eye to chang es in the law. “It is not wrong to sell properties to Indians, but it be comes wrong when the people we sell those properties to break laws to destroy our environment and heritage,” said Pedro Viegas of the Save Old Goa Action Committee. “It took us time to obtain the RTIs because the govern ment is trying to interfere in the process. But the truth cannot be hidden forever. By allowing these constructions, they will slowly deny us locals access to this chapel,” said Viegas, who claimed to have witnessed what he described as the present dispensation’s plans to alter the ecosystem of the village. A nearly 10-metre-tall water tank standing within a few metres of a compound wall inside the buffer zone are, ac cording to protesters, tell-tale signs of recent activity in Survey No 85/0 (Part), for which the TCP granted technical clearance in 2024. The allegedly damaged wall appears to have been re assembled without concrete, with thorn branches strewn around it. The distance between the wall and the tank is around five metres. A walk through Survey No 85/0 (Part) does not indicate the creation of any road, though some coconut saplings could be seen planted farther inside the property. “At this point, I appeal to the Church authorities, espe cially the Old Goa Deanery, to open this chapel more often so that we can worship here. This chapel is opened once a year for 10 days during its feast and once a month for Mass. If it is kept open more often, its maintenance will also improve,” said Bernadette Fernandes, a member of the Old Goa Parish Pastoral Council (PPC). “By making the chapel more accessible to us, it will help us keep the place clean and strengthen us spiritually. Then the eyes of evil will stay away. At the very least, the Church authorities should write to the Archaeology Department seeking permission for us to maintain this chapel if they cannot. Just look at its condition,” Fernandes said. Old Goa, according to many of the protesters, has be come a hotspot for real estate interests, with heritage laws allegedly being overlooked to satisfy the greed of a few. While the view from the hilltop remains breathtaking, they claimed that scattered constructions are slowly turning the landscape into an eyesore and warned that the trend must be stopped before it spreads further. “Old Goa is the home of our saint who protects us. The fact that the government is allowing these illegalities tells a very sad story about the people we elect. There is a limit to the evil that can be done, and there is also a limit to our patience. We cannot remain silent for long,” warned Alex andre Antao, who travelled from Ambora in Raia to attend the protest. Locals also expressed disappointment over the absence of elected representatives. “We called our panch members and our MLA, but there has been no response from them. Obviously, they have to listen to the commands of their high command if they want to continue enjoying the perks of power. This is a sad re flection of the state of politics today,” said local resident Francis Fernandes. Vincent D’Silva said the government appeared unable to keep track of its own statements while attempting to justify its actions. “One day they boast that the buffer zone around all herit age sites has been increased to 200 metres, and then clear ances are issued for areas that fall not only within buffer zones but also in places marked as private forests and or chards,” D’Silva alleged. The one-and-a-half-hour protest began with prayers and concluded with a hymn to St Francis Xavier, accompa nied by an appeal for people across Goa to support similar movements aimed at protecting the State’s natural and cul tural heritage. “This is the time for every Goan to stand together. This is not just a call for unity in diversity but a call to everyone who has been nurtured by this land to think about the next generation,” concluded Alex Noronha, who drove from An juna to participate.
