Mormugao taluka is adorned with numerous sites of archaeological importance which are facing complete neglect. The centuries-old caves at Chicalim are one such example. If this situation is not addressed soon, these historic caves will soon be replaced with duplex bungalows and sea view apartments. “Many people in Vasco do not know that three unique second century burial chambers exist in Chicalim. These chambers are one of the fewpre-Portuguese era structures that exist. However, today they face the treat of desecration due to development of the area,” said RTI activist Narayan Naik.
According to officials of the state administration, the process of protecting these caves has been on for the past six years. What is even more surprising is the fact that the officials of the state administration cannot give any guarantee as to whether they would allow the caves to be protected considering land sharks have been eyeing this prime spot. Due to this, the Outline development plan of Mormugao does not mention the site. “We do have knowledge about the Chicalim caves. However as per our records, they are nowhere mentioned to be a protected site and thus if required, development can take place at the site because the said area falls under the settlement zone under ODP,” said an MPDA official under the condition of anonymity.
The statement makes it very clear that the state administration has no interest in protecting the site, and heritage lovers are disappointed with the insensitivity shown by the state archives and archaeology department in declaring the site as protected. “We were told that the department would consider our demand and would initiate the process to add these caves under heritage properties along with other list of 51 protected heritage monuments in Goa. However the promise made in the year 2009 to notify Chicalim caves as a protected monument is still pending,” said Prajal Sakhardande, a member of the Goa heritage action group (GHAG).
Prajal and many others who have visited the site feel that there is lack of interest amongst the politicians as well as local bodies and that is what creates a hindrance in declaring this site as protected site in Goa. “We had Chicalim Panchayat resolution. Then we had several site inspections along with concerned officials from the archaeology department. However even after months of deliberation when the process was in the final state with the department only waiting to issue notifications, things were still kept pending during the tenure of the former director. Now we only hope that the new director takes some initiatives to fulfil the demands of heritage lovers,” he said.
What is more surprising is that the local Panchayat body fully supports the demand. But the process is stuck and there is constant fear that the hill can be grabbed by land sharks as they are looking at market potential. “There cannot be a second motive. The picture is very clear, the land is priceless due to its heritage importance and for builders the land is a gold mine as it is close to the highway. Besides, it offers a sea view which attracts builders. However the question locals should respond to is whether to sell their heritage or get together to fight and ensure that the site is protected,” said Francisco Nunes, Panch member of Chicalim Panchayat.
The entire area has become porous due to the presence of weeds which destroy its beauty. Of the three caves, one has already been damaged while the other two are getting there if not taken care of in time. “We heard from some historians that that these chambers would have been used for burial of the dead but this site which could be one of the megalithic sites in country lies unprotected and only those who have an idea about the site are making efforts to preserve them,” said Nilima Avdoot Naik, a Panch member from Chicalim.
The Local MLA, Mauvin Godinho when contacted with the pending demands of the locals informed that he would have surely taken up the issue at his level. However, no one approached him for the purpose. “Being the local MLA, till date no one approached me with their concerns about protecting the area. I got to know only through the papers that heritage lovers are demanding the protection of the site. If the same people had approached me earlier I would have done something to declare the site as a protected monument,” Godinho said.
