ASI issues notices to 90-odd illegal structures in Old Goa, 2 other sites

Panaji: The Archaeological Survey of India (ASI) has issued show cause notices to 90-odd parties regarding unauthorised structures within the 100m prohibited zone and the 200m regulated zone at Old Goa’s Unesco World Heritage site, and two other protected sites.With a major chunk of the notices being issued relating to illegalities in Old Goa, 35 structures are within the 100m zone, where no new construction can be carried out, as per the Ancient Monuments and Archaeological Sites and Remains Act (AMASR), 1958.The 57 other notices pertain to illegal structures in the regulated zone of 200m where development or repairs to existing structures is only allowed with permission from the National Monuments Authority (NMA), New Delhi.With the long-awaited issuance of notices to parties, the illegal kiosks, stalls, shops, garages, and other structures which threaten the integrity of the heritage site have come under the scanner of authorities.The illegal structures are located all over Old Goa, but most of them are below the flyover along Old Goa-Panaji highway, opposite the police station, old pillory, and near the Basilica.Despite the world heritage tag, Old Goa has suffered from neglect, and, as heritage lovers allege, haphazard development has affected the heritage ambience around the monuments.In the 16^th century, there were around 100 churches, convents, and other edifices in Old Goa, and it was comparable to European cities. The vast area of the former capital was protected by a 20km outer fortification wall.Heritage lovers have also been demanding a master plan for Old Goa for nearly three decades. However, the local panchayat has largely been dictating the development in the area, activists allege.The notices are being issued under Sections 20(a) and 20(b) of AMASR, 1958, and AMASR (Amendments and Validation) Act, 2010.“These structures had come up after the AMASR (Amendments and Validation) Act, 2010, came into force. In most cases, shades have been erected without permission from the National Monuments Authority,” ASI sources said.The notices also include parties that have erected unauthorised structures at Safa Masjid and Aguada fort, which are important ASI-protected monuments that are vulnerable to development pressures.“The parties have resorted to erection of sheds, metal frames, or construction of laterite masonry under the guise of repairs, without permission,” the sources said.The ASI carries out the conservation agenda of monuments and also issues notices in case of illegal constructions in the prohibited and regulated zone, while the state government and district administration have to initiate action to clear the structures.