Christanand Pednekar/
Goemkarponn
SANGUEM: Goa’s historians erupted in joy as another site was listed in the UNESCO world heritage sites.
However, illegal mining of laterite quarry is ongoing in full flow as close as 100 to 200 meters away from this site, at Colomba village of Sanguem area, proving to be a danger to the protected archaeological site consisting of ancient rock carving.
Locals ask, “Who says there is a mining ban in Goa when openly illegal mining of the laterite quarry happens daily at a serene village of Colomba, Rivona in Sanguem taluka?”
The biggest problem here is that due to the ongoing illegal excavation in the laterite quarry, an ancient rock carving which recently made headlines in the media is in danger.
A few years back, this village was full of lush green Arecanut, coconut plantations and sugarcane plantations, but for the last two years, this quarry has been started by a local from the Colomba village of Sanguem.
Presently there is full-fledged work of mining of laterite quarry which is just 100 to 150 meters from rock carvings.
These rock carvings are newly listed on the UNESCO site near this place. One of the most critical places in the history of human culture is the thousands of years old stone carvings of Rivona at Usgalimal-Pansaimal.
Despite efforts to keep it safe, the area has not escaped the notice of the mining mafia.
These ancient sculptures have been threatened due to the large scale mining laterite quarry in the area.
The laterite quarry has been going on in the area since last year. Although this quarry operates on private land, it is not licensed by the government.
Even though the mines have been closed down, a shocking incident has come to light that a large laterite quarry is being run in an area of 200 meters without the government’s notice.
These sculptures carved in stone were discovered by historians many years ago. Near Colomba, there is a large piece of purple stone in the Kushavati basin. This carving has been found on it.
After Diwali, the stone carvings look very beautiful when the water recedes.
The carvings are carved on a yellow stone which is very difficult to carve. This carving is in the shape of a large circle; the locals call it Chakravyuh, while these stone paintings are also called ‘pictures of cowherds’.
Kushavati flows on one side of this rock, and a ditch is dug on the other side to carry excess water.
The government has appointed security guards to protect this historic site
The whole region is still remote. Forests surround it. It is close to the Karnataka border and is covered by iron ore mines.
There is also a closed mine just 500 meters away from these murals. In addition to these murals, there are also natural caves at Kajur and Rivona at 4 km.