TEAM HERALD
teamherald@herald-goa.com
PANJIM: In a positive development, the tourism department has decided to tie up with the department of Archives and Archaeology for restoration and beautification of old Goan forts with the objective of promoting culture and heritage tourism in Goa.
As a first step, the three forts likely to get attention are Chapora Fort, Cabo de Rama Fort and Corjuem Fort.
Taking the cue from North Indian States who are successfully promoting heritage tourism through their old forts, Goa tourism department has decided to work on similar lines in the interest of conservation and tourism promotion.
While the State has a large number of forts, the department of archives and archaeology has been entrusted with the task of enlisted all those forts which are in need of restoration and conservation.
It is learnt that the three forts may be taken up for restoration and conservation by the tourism ministry in consultation with historians and conservationists.
A tourism department official said that a nodal officer would be appointed to co-ordinate this important project and consultants have already been appointed to start working on the plans and will seek the assistance of conservationists and historians here in Goa.
The tourism department is looking at promoting cultural heritage through the plethora of forts. The plan is to give the forts, many of which are in dilapidated condition, a facelift, provide proper access and beautify the surrounding area.
“Forts in Goa are unique as they have beautiful locales in natural settings and are constructed with laterite stone,” said a department official, adding that tourists will want to visit forts in Goa when this new plan gets underway.
