In our younger years, we were fascinated by Shangri-la, which was supposed to be a place that was heaven, where you never grew old. Of course, though by and large it was supposed to be a fictional abode, still many believed that present day Tibet actually housed a place that was similar to this fictional paradise. However, we were in Goa itself experiencing a near similarity to Shangri-la. Goa was then known as the Rome of the East and Golden Goa.
Recounting our experiences of what Goa had in store, it would be pertinent to note that Goa was an abode of the Gods, wherein men lived in perfect harmony with nature. The seasons were mostly predictable and the summer, monsoons and winter were more certain. Most of Goa compared to today, which has become a concrete jungle, was a verdant territory with lush green forests, hills and fields, beautiful beaches with the rivers being clear and clean with no pollution whatsoever and mostly a wide variety of flora and fauna were seen in Goa. We had an abundance of animals, birds and butterflies. Even our cities were dotted with greenery and to a great extent, the villages were our salubrious rustic abodes.
Goa was a land of plenty wherein everybody lived in perfect harmony. There was perfect communal harmony and everyone thrived in Golden Goa. There were hundreds of springs and fountains, which would give us crystal clear water with medicinal properties that needed no filtration because the land was so clean that it acted not just as filters, but also provided the necessary minerals through which the springs and fountains emanated from. Our fields did not require fertilisers and pesticides and the natural process of pollination was performed by the birds, butterflies and insects.
The air was perfectly clean with no air pollutants whatsoever making our respiratory systems stronger. Also, the life expectancy was much higher with most people living to become octogenarians. Today Goa is only a distant semblance of the Goa that was fifty years back.
Our produce such as coconuts, cashew nuts, mangoes as well as other fruits and vegetables were aplenty. Now, Goa is just a remote semblance of its real self which then sustained healthy living. Our churches and chapels especially were in unique Renaissance styles such as Corinthian, Gothic, Ionic, Doric, Norman and Baroque with exquisitely carved altars. Our temples and mosques were also ornate structures beautifying the State. There were many sturdy forts which provided a unique background.
The Goa of today in order to become a place, which was as beautiful as in past years, should realise its carrying capacity and thus frame laws that protect nature and thus the environment, which are strict and binding. The conversion of land should be stopped especially in order to protect our forests, hills and fields. It is estimated now that only 35% of Goa is under green cover unlike when Goa earlier had at least 70% of greenery and also about 70% of the people were involved in the farming sector. Mostly what remains in Goa now are only patches of greenery which should be protected and kept green at least.