Team Herald
BICHOLIM: Since mining has come to a grinding halt the people from Bicholim have demanded that some of the historically important places could be developed to provide an alternate source of livelihood in the mining affected areas.
It may be stated that in north Goa Bicholim and Sanquelim constituency would be the worst affected by the mining ban. There are many families who are totally dependent upon mining and there is no other source of livelihood for them.
Not just the truck owners and the workers but also several others indirectly dependent upon mining will be affected. This include the shopkeepers, hotel owners and some such establishments who will have to close down their shutters as there would be no takers when mining is stopped.
The people from this area feel that there are several historically important places even in mining areas which if developed could give a helping hand to these establishments.
“Lamgao in Bicholim is an area where there is lot of mining activity and there are several people who are employed in mining. But Lamgao is also famous historically. There are lama caves in the village which are totally neglected by the government and the archeological department,” said Deelip Dhargalkar from Lamgao.
“The department has installed several boards stating that it is historically important place but has done little to get the attention of the tourists to this place. After the mining ban if these areas are developed and turned into tourist destinations then it would surely help the people living in these areas,” Dhargalkar added.
Besides Lama caves, there is also a Namazga, perched on the top of a hill in Mayem which has historical importance. From here one can also get a panoramic view of Bicholim and other surrounding places. As per the sources, this was built in 1683.
“Namazga could be another tourist attraction if it is developed in proper manner. What is required is the willingness on the part of the authorities,” Dhargalkar stated.
It is not only in Bicholim but also in Surla and Pale there are several historically important places which could attract the tourists.
“Nested between the rich soils of Surla there is a masjid of Surla-Tar which is one of the oldest surviving mosques in Goa dating to the Adil Shah era,” said S Bayekar from Surla. “The architecture of this mosque bears the resemblance to the Safa masjid in Ponda and could well be a tourist attraction,” he added.
