Stop heavy traffic if serious about protecting Chandor heritage: VDC

CHANDOR: In the first of its kind event, residents and experts discussed how to develop Chandor as a “Heritage Village” as announced by the government and the authorities were asked to first ban trucks plying through the village at high speed.

Besides identifying various historical sites and suggesting how they can be protected it was also pointed out that culture being a part of heritage, the Mussoll dance that originated during the Kadamba reign and local food culture too should be promoted.

At the programme 

organised by the Village Development Committee of Chandor-Cavorim Panchayat, renowned architects Heta Pandit, Dean D’Cruz, historian Prajal Sakhardande and two villagers shared their views.

The programme began with an audio video presentation by the VDC explaining how some sites could be protected and projected.

The VDC stressed on the need to protect historical sites specially those dating to the 11th century, constructing cycle lanes, walking treks and introducing heritage walks.

Water bodies like the Oilem Tollem  which could turn into Mayem lake of South Goa, the river Kushawati bordering the village and springs including one said to have medicinal properties were also referred to.

Preparing a path to the cross atop the Ghottmorod hillock, turning the area devastated by black stone mining into a rock climbing avenue were some sug-gestions for Adventure Tourism.

However, the VDC urged the government to immediately implement the Collec-tor’s order passed years ago, prohibiting heavy vehicles plying through the village as the speeding trucks threaten to destroy some heritage monuments.

In a truly informative 15 minutes address, historian Prajal Sakhardande not on-ly pointed out that Goa was the first capital of the region but suggested that the sites of Goa’s first port and fort, remnants of which are still visible, should be identified with signages and made known to present generation.

“There is evidence in the form of three copper plates available at Shiroda that Goa was the capital of the region in the 6th century,” he said and added that this has to be highlighted.

He also pointed out that the first freedom fighters for Goa’s liberation had links with Chandor. While T B Cunha who is called the father of Goa’s liberation movement was born in Chandor, his two nieces, Beatrice and Bertha Menezes Braganza from the village, were the first two 

female freedom fighters.

In a pathbreaking address, multi talented Heta Pandit said heritage has three components namely natural, man-made and cultural and stressed the im-portance of protecting the last mentioned.

“The sloping roofs, mother of pearl shell windows and balcaos are

man-made heritage of Goa, it is time we document our plants and cultural her-itage vestiges existing even today,” she said.

While pointing out that having a hibiscus plant in the courtyard is part of Goan heritage, she said preserving age old measuring items could well become a topic of conservation to protect the cultural heritage.

Architect Dean D’Cruz through a slide show explained how old architecture has been not preserved but also modernised like adding a mezzanine floor utilising the space provided by the high roofs.

“However, the biggest threat for heritage at present is the threatened destruc-tion of the Town and Country Planning Act through the new ‘zoning policies”, he said while applauding the people of Pernem for forcing the government to rescind the taluka zoning plan.

“While south Goa is a lot better off than North Goa, it is important for the pan-chayats to prepare their own regional plan and village development plan to protect its heritage and identity,” he said.

Moderator of Parish Pastoral Council Joy D’Silva while arguing that it was eve-rybody’s duty to protect the heritage said each and every resident of the village could begin by ensuring that cleanliness is maintained in the village.

“We have many heritage houses and the owners of some are finding it difficult to maintain them. Therefore, I appeal to the government to assist them to maintain these heritage houses,” he said.

“To maintain the sanctity and identity of our village, I would request the pan-chayat to restrict constructions to only two floors in the village,” said Joy.

Allan Pereira, a villager had some concrete suggestions to the panchayat includ-ing conducting quiz contest for students to educate the younger generation of the village’s rich history.

“Why not organise a heritage bazaar once a month,” he asked while also sug-gesting that security particularly of elderly people living alone has to be strengthened and also stressed the need for public toilets to be used by the im-pending visitors.

While Sarpanch Estefanio Dias welcomed the crowd, Deputy Sarpanch Nancy Antao proposed the vote 

of thanks. “All the suggestions received given will be collated and presented to the local MLA Yuri Alemao for further action,” said VDC Convener J D’Silva.