Significant feature of policy is emphasis on legislative reforms, says minister
PANAJI
Archives and Archaeology Minister Subhash Phal Dessai on Friday said that the Goa State Heritage Policy 2025 is awaiting cabinet approval, following which it will be implemented.
The draft policy document, submitted to the government by the Expert Committee, has proposed provisions for financial assistance and technical support to private heritage homes to aid their maintenance and to promote the adaptive reuse of these properties for heritage tourism.
The policy refers to more than 200 historic, archaeological, and heritage locations, over a hundred private and government buildings with historic and heritage value, apart from focusing on preserving tangible assets.
Speaking to media persons, Phal Dessai said that the policy document is one of its kind in India and will act as a role model for other states to introduce similar policies.
The Minister said that 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 programmes to aid 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.
The policy has focused on 14 core areas, identified more than 200 historic, archaeological, and heritage locations, prepared a checklist of more than 100 private and government buildings with historic and heritage value, considered 46 distinct, authentic folk forms of Goa, and acknowledged 61 accredited, age-old traditional local occupations, thus ensuring a holistic approach.
Phal Dessai said that 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.
