Goa's ecology, culture threatened by affluent outsiders

Writer and anthropologist Katharina Poggendorf-Kakar is of the opinion that Goa has seen an “invasion” of individuals from a higher- economic strata, something that has become more evident post the pandemic.

Not only do these individuals live the high life until the wee hours of the morning, they are able to rest assured that nothing will affect the peace they claim in their vast bungalows or expensive apartments. This is something that is not sustainable for a state like Goa.

They have caused the Goan landscape to change, both topographically and socially with an increase in investments and more non-Goans claiming homes here.

“That fantasy of living in a space that gives you the freedom to (not only) party at night, but to (also) have your morning to birdsong and an evening walk at the beach… that’s the most luxurious lifestyle one can think of. It’s just not sustainable, if we have an invasion of so many people not being conscious about how their imprint is changing environmental and ecological balance,” Kakar said.

Katharina Poggendorf-Kakar, Writer and Anthropologist“People are not really truly interested in living a simple lifestyle, but rather to have it all, to have nature, but also to recreate their urban, modern lifestyles.”

Kakar, who delivered her talk “Goa: A Journey of Rediscovery” at the (MOG) in Pilerne, also said huge construction projects have negatively impacted the cultural fabric of Goan villages, causing insecurity to increase among local communities.

“People are not really truly interested in living a simple lifestyle, but rather to have it all, to have nature, but also to recreate their urban, modern lifestyles,” she said.

Katharina Kakar discussed her experiences with author Sheela Jaywant, with the German-born anthropologist’s novel Moving to Goa as the focus. The novel offers an outsider's perspective on Goa and Goans.

Jaywant noted that there are areas much as tranquil and green as Goa in south Maharashtra and Kerala. Despite the lower living costs in those regions, many choose to live in Goa because there is a more luxurious lifestyle associated with living here. In addition, there are amenities on offer.

“That is also an urban view. You get certain things here (in Goa) that you will not get in villages in the Himalayas,” Kakar said, responding to Jaywant’s observation.

Katharina Kakar had moved to , South Goa, 21 years ago with her late husband, the world-renowned psychoanalyst Sudhir Kakar. Back then, she had been enchanted by her experience of Goa, but not anymore.

“My worst fantasies kind of came true of a serene Goa, where small villages had a cultural fabric that was pretty much intact. It is now being disrupted by huge construction projects, especially post-COVID,” stated Kakar.

The influx of people settling in Goa is changing the very social fabric of this state.

Kakar points out, “I fell in love with this state when I first came here because of the hospitality I was offered by the locals. Now, for example, the Delhites come here and build huge walls around their houses, changing the very warm and homely atmosphere of Goan villages.”

Dialogue is important and so is respect towards local cultures, said Katharina Kakar, advocating for initiatives that can sustain Goa’s beauty and .

Kakar drew inspiration from Save Mollem, a movement to save the forests of the Mollem region in South Goa, which united diverse groups. These sorts of collaborative efforts could inspire future initiatives.