Bombay High Court Takes Up Goa Heritage Protection PIL
The Bombay High Court has issued formal notices to the Archaeological Survey of India (ASI), the Town and Country Planning (TCP) department, the Old Goa panchayat, and various other central and state authorities. This action comes in response to a significant Public Interest Litigation (PIL) that seeks the urgent formulation and preparation of draft site plans and draft heritage bylaws for 21 centrally-protected monuments located across Goa.
Time-Bound Demands for Monument Protection
The PIL, filed by concerned citizens Glean Cabral and Tahir Noronha, specifically requests that these critical documents be prepared within strict deadlines. For the 14 monuments situated in the historic area of Old Goa, which include world-renowned sites such as the Se Cathedral and the Basilica of Bom Jesus, the petitioners are demanding the completion of draft site plans and heritage bylaws within a three-month timeframe.
Furthermore, for the remaining seven centrally protected monuments located in other parts of Goa, the PIL seeks the preparation of these same documents within a six-month period. This structured approach aims to ensure comprehensive protection for Goa's rich architectural and cultural heritage.
Broader Legal and Administrative Directives Sought
Beyond the immediate preparation of plans and bylaws, the petitioners are advocating for more robust governance around these protected sites. They are seeking judicial directions to formulate and issue comprehensive guidelines that would mandate taking the public and all relevant stakeholders into confidence before granting any permissions, whether temporary or permanent, in the vicinity of state monuments.
The PIL also calls for the state to establish and enforce clear directives for the prompt removal of illegal or unauthorized constructions and encroachments within the protected, prohibited, and regulated areas surrounding these monuments. This is seen as a crucial step to prevent further degradation of these historic sites.
Specific Actions and Interim Relief Requested
In a more targeted legal move, the petition seeks to quash and set aside permissions for construction that were previously issued to the Goa tourism department and the Old Goa police station. As an interim measure, the PIL requests the court to direct the ASI to keep all pending and fresh applications for new constructions in abeyance until proper frameworks are established.
The petitioners have also requested specific directions to the ASI's regional director and the National Monuments Authority. They urge these bodies to formally consider the objections and suggestions that were submitted by the petitioners on February 2nd. Additionally, they demand the publication of the heritage bylaws for each of the 14 centrally protected monuments in Old Goa, ensuring transparency and public access to these vital regulatory documents.
This legal initiative underscores a growing public concern for the preservation of Goa's unique heritage, blending Portuguese colonial architecture with indigenous temple structures, and seeks to enforce accountability and timely action from the responsible authorities.
