PANAJI
The draft Goa State Heritage Policy 2025- the implementation of which is expected from the next financial year -- has proposed provision for financial assistance and technical support to private heritage homes to aid their maintenance and to promote adaptive reuse of these properties for heritage tourism.
The policy speaks about more than 200 historic, archaeological and heritage locations, over hundred private and Government buildings having historic and heritage value apart from laying focus on preserving tangible assets.
A 15-member monitoring committee for drafting Heritage Policy led by Dr Pandurang Phaldessai on Thursday handed over 172 pages policy document- the first-ever state-level heritage policy in India, to the Minister for Archives and Archaeology Subhash Phal Dessai. The policy drafting process had begun way back in November 2023.
“A significant feature of the policy is the emphasis on legislative reforms, conservation guidelines and private heritage homes, with provisions for financial assistance, technical support, and recognition programs to aid in their maintenance. It also promotes the adaptive reuse of these properties for sustainable purposes such as cultural tourism and educational initiatives, ensuring the preservation of their historical and cultural value,” stated the press release.
The policy has laid focus on 14 core areas and has identified more than 200 historic, archaeological and heritage locations, prepared a checklist of more than 100 private and Government buildings having historic and heritage value, considered 46 distinct, authentic folk forms of Goa and acknowledged 61 accredited local age old traditional occupations thus ensuring a holistic approach.
“The policy underscores an integrated strategy for conservation, focusing on tangible assets such as historical monuments, religious landmarks, and traditional village architecture, as well as intangible heritage, including festivals, traditional crafts, and oral traditions,” the statement mentions.
Incorporating best practices from national and international frameworks, the policy includes a robust digital documentation initiative to catalogue and safeguard Goa’s heritage assets for global accessibility and future generations.
It also proposes sustainable tourism measures, including eco-friendly heritage trails and cultural festivals, designed to balance conservation with tourism development. Community engagement is a cornerstone of the policy, with proposed educational workshops, awareness campaigns, and skill-building programs aimed at fostering local participation and pride in heritage preservation.
Speaking about the policy, Minister Subhash Phal Dessai said that the policy prepared for the first time in our country represents a monumental step in safeguarding Goa’s unique heritage while promoting sustainable development.
“By incorporating provisions for private heritage homes and aligning with global standards, this policy ensures that Goa’s cultural legacy remains protected for future generations. The policy will now follow due administrative procedures before being placed before the cabinet for approval,” he said.
The secretary Archaeology Prasad Lolayekar, IAS, said that following government approvals, in few months, the policy will be translated in Konkani and Marathi and then the implementation phase may commence hopefully from 2025-26, guided by detailed action plans, funding mechanisms, and monitoring systems to ensure its success.
