Deep within Goa's interior, workers grinding haritaki seeds with lime and organic jaggery are reviving a building technique that has held Indian structures together for centuries. The restoration of Sanquelim and Alorna forts—two strategic outposts that once guarded trade routes and defended against invasion—marks a quiet revolution in heritage conservation: the deliberate rejection of modern cement and concrete in favor of time-tested, organic materials.
For decades, heritage sites across India have been restored with conventional construction materials, often damaging their historical integrity. Goa's approach is different. The tannins in haritaki seeds (locally called kadukkai) react chemically with lime mortar to increase compressive strength, improve workability, and reduce porosity—a formula refined over centuries. By choosing materials that match the original construction, conservationists ensure that restoration work remains durable for centuries while preserving the aesthetic and archaeological value of these structures.
The Sanquelim fort restoration, completed using traditional lime-based mixtures and natural materials like laterite stones and teak wood, represents a careful balance between longevity and authenticity. A significant portion of the roof was reconstructed using teak, chosen for its exceptional durability. Former archaeology minister Subhash Phal Dessai, who initiated the works, emphasized that "one aspect is longevity, and the other is maintaining the archaeological and aesthetic value of these structures. The materials and techniques used were selected so that the restoration remains durable for centuries." The project, estimated at around Rs 3.8 crore, had faced logistical hurdles—shopkeepers operating kiosks along the fort walls and a government office housed within the complex had to be relocated before work could begin.
Situated overlooking the Valvonti river's left bank, Sanquelim fort once functioned as a strategic defense outpost and served as a port facilitating trade. Now restored, its interior spaces are being adapted for public and cultural purposes: a multipurpose hall, recreational areas for senior citizens, and visitor viewing areas. Galleries displaying archival photographs and information panels will tell the story of the fort's history and restoration journey, while also introducing visitors to other forts across Goa.
The Alorna fort restoration presents an even more technically demanding challenge. Dating back to the 16th century, its centuries-old moat had undergone no major restoration work under successive governments. The moat area was strangled by extensive vegetation and debris, which conservation teams have now cleared. Originally constructed by the Bhonsles of Sawantwadi, Alorna once defended Pernem, Maneri, and Bicholim against Marathas while guarding the river passage from Portuguese forces. In its heyday, the fort was connected to a navigable river system complete with a dock for trade activity—a vitality lost over centuries as the river shrank to a narrow water channel.
Authorities plan to refill the moat using water from the Chapora river, but the effort faces significant infrastructural obstacles. A road constructed near the site blocks the natural water flow, requiring coordination between multiple government departments. As archaeology director Nilesh Faldesai noted, "opening the water channel is a major task." Yet the commitment remains: to restore not just the fort's walls, but its living context—to return water to a moat that once reflected the region's strategic importance and commercial vitality. In choosing patience and traditional techniques over quick modern fixes, Goa is demonstrating that heritage restoration is not about freezing the past, but about honoring it responsibly.