Team Herald

MARGAO: It’s almost a year and the notification on Biodiversity Heritage sites in Curtorim seems to have eluded the village. 

There seems to be no word on the notification since last year when the then Forest and Environment Minister Rajendra Arlekar visited the village. 

The villagers have been waiting for the notification for preserving and protecting Curtorim’s historic and biodiversity sites. The constant urbanisation and the people moving into remote rural areas have threatened the sanctity of these sites. 

According to the Biodiversity Management Committee chairman of Curtorim, they along with the team of experts have identified and reported 19 springs, 6 lakes, 6 khazans and 7 wells among several other sites which need immediate protection. The panchayat was assured financial help to protect these sites.

J Santan Rodrigues, BDMC Curtorim chairman said, “We have been waiting for the notification of the heritage sites for last one year. Sadly, the process has been caught up due to the election whirlwind and needs to speed up.” He further informed that the team from Chowgule College which was appointed to conduct survey of the village submitted its report long back.

“The sites identified include seven wells which were built centuries ago. These sites to be protected need support from the government so that they restored to their original form,” Santan added. 

It may be recalled that the former minister along with various authorities visited Curtorim and had inspected vital sites. The visit was after the Biodiversity Committee of Curtorim wrote to the minister and Biodiversity Board to declare some sites in the village as biodiversity heritage sites.

Now, that Arlekar has lost the recently assembly polls the onus of protection lies with the new minister.