Should commercial development be banned around religious sites?

Published on:

13 Sep 2024, 2:21 pm

PANJIM: Residents of Old Goa and the Save Old Goa Action Committee are firmly opposing commercial development around Old Goa. They are also demanding a buffer zone and a master plan. In this edition of Street Voices, Herald TV spoke to people whether there should be a buffer zone around World Heritage and Religious sites where commercial development should not be allowed?

When people are coming out in large numbers, why is the Government not supporting the people? All the illegalities show that the government is involved in this. I request all the people of Goa to come out in large numbers and oppose the Government at what it is doing. We want a master plan as soon as possible. If the government is clear, it will first finish the illegal bungalow which is there. Even last night there were people working in the bungalow. Who is going to be awake to keep a watch on them?

Vincent D’SIlva, Member Save Old Goa Action Committee

When the ASI act declares a 300 metres buffer zone since 1968, government should have acquired the land and made arrangements for the Exposition. There are lakhs of tourists coming there for the feast and for the exposition, don’t they require facilities? If there is construction there, the UNESCO World Heritage tag will be lost. The farm houses which have come up are on private property but it is orchard land. No construction is allowed on orchard land. Additionally, it is within 100 metre buffer zone. We have opposed Amendment 17(2) to the TCP Act and in Old Goa itself they have converted over 3 lakh square metres of land.

Peter Viegas, Member Save Old Goa Action Committee

We condemn the illegalities that are going on all over Goa. St Francis Xavier’s body is kept here at Old Goa and it is a holy place and still illegalities are going on. There is corruption. I request the chief minister to stop the illegalities at the earliest. Illegal bungalows, construction, garbage treatment plant, chocolate exhibition centre. All these illegalities should be stopped as soon as possible. Exposition of St Francis Xavier is around the corner, so altogether were united oppose these illegalities and constructions.

Jennifer Lobo, Member Save Old Goa Action Committee

I have just one request, do not destroy our Old Goa. We have to save it, because the body of St Francis Xavier, Goencho Saib is here. I request all Goans to file the objections and come out in large numbers and oppose the illegalities and commercial development activities at Old Goa.

Antonette Fernandes, Member Save Old Goa Action Committee