Chicalim group wants CM’s aid to restore pre-historic cave

Vasco: Members of Chicalim Bio-Crusaders on Saturday protested the sealing of a pre-historic natural cave at Dabolim by unknown persons. The group has appealed to chief minister Pramod Sawant and the Chicalim village panchayat for immediate help to restore the pre-historic heritage cave. They also urged the chief minister to lend his support to protect the caves at Chicalim as well as those at other heritage sites in the state.
Expressing concern over the sealing the pre-historic natural cave at Dabolim, historian Prof Sakhardande said that the archaeology department should act immediately to protect and restore the cave to its original condition. “In association with convenor of Chicalim Bio-Crusaders Cyril Fernandes, I have been campaigning with the archaeology department since 2005, demanding that this particular cave along with the three in Naquelim in Chicalim be declared as heritage sites”, said Sakhardande.
Fernandes said, “I would take up this issue with the panchayat. The sealing of the pre-historic natural cave is a criminal act carried out by persons who have damaged a heritage site for obvious reasons. I have already lodged a criminal complaint at the Vasco police station.”
Mhadei activist Tanoj Adwalpalkar condemned the sealing and demanded that the government act against the culprits. Chicalim biodiversity management committee chairman Rui Araujo said, “The Dabolim cave has been listed in the heritage list of monuments in the People’s biodiversity register of Chicalim and thus a protected site. I will study the issue and initiate appropriate action on behalf of the BMC of Chicalim.”