Why did Goa name its new district Kushavati?

Sawant said the name ‘Kushavati’ is close to the heart of the people of South Goa and symbolises the livelihood and ecology of the place.

“The name symbolises Goa’s culture and traditions. In the future, the new district will be one of ecological importance and heritage and tourists will especially go to see it.”

The rock engravings (petroglyphs) carved on laterite stones at Usgalimal in South Goa, located on the banks of river Kushavati, exhibit earliest traces of human settlement, and are believed to be thousands of years old.

Goa currently has two districts – South Goa and North Goa. The third district will comprise the four hinterland talukas of Sanguem, Dharbandora, Quepem and Canacona, which currently fall under the South Goa district. The headquarters for the third district will be located in Quepem.

The Goa Cabinet had approved a proposal for the creation of the new district in July this year.

Hailing it a historic step towards stronger governance and balanced regional development, Sawant said Wednesday: “The third district also means a third zilla panchayat…We are notifying the third zilla panchayat also today. The talukas of Sanguem, Quepem, Canacona and Dharbandora will fall under this zilla panchayat”.

In November 2023, the Goa government formed a committee to examine the proposal for the creation of a third district in the state. The seven-member committee, headed by the chief secretary, was tasked with assessing the need for a third district in view of increasing population and the need for overall development of the state.

The committee was mandated to ascertain whether the creation of a third district would lead to the development and welfare of the people in general, and of backward talukas in particular. It was also asked to suggest the boundaries of the new district after considering several aspects, including population, economic status, availability of infrastructure and public opinion.

Sawant said Tuesday the government-notified committee has examined the proposal in detail, covering district boundaries, geography, demography, existing infrastructure, administrative advantages and the estimated costs involved.

“While the initiative will involve an initial administrative and financial outlay, the long-term benefits are significant. These include improved access to central funds and programmes, including opportunities under initiatives such as the Aspirational District Programme. A third district will further strengthen governance by improving administrative reach, ensuring timely delivery of public services, enhancing the last-mile implementation of welfare schemes, and increasing local participation,” he said.

Historian Prajal Sakhardande said Kushavati is an important historical river, on whose banks culture and civilization grew and flourished.

“The signs of one of first civilizations in Goa are seen in the form of petroglyphs on the banks of Kushavati in Pansaimol- Usgalimal in Sanguem taluka and also petroglyphs in Kazur, Pirla… all of which are flanked by the Kushavati,” he said. “The ancient capital of Goa, Chandrapur or Chandor, is located on the banks of the Kushavati, wherein the Bhojas, South Konkan Shilaharas and Kadamba dynasties ruled from the 4th century to the mid-14th century. Kushavati has seen battles, wars, cultures and natural heritage flourishing on her meandering path.”