MARGAO: The committee of St Alex Church in Curtorim has raised objections to the proposed inclusion of two of their properties in the Curtorim Biodiversity Heritage Site, citing concerns regarding the site’s objectives and potential conflicts with local authorities.
In a letter addressed to the village panchayat of Curtorim, Fr. Manuel Dias, Parish Priest of the Fabrica of St Alex Church, emphasised that the proposed Biodiversity Heritage Site primarily encompasses natural features such as low-lying paddy fields, khazan lands, wetlands, pasture lands, ponds, lakes, springs, wells and the like, rather than structural edifices or reserved areas.
The objections come amidst growing opposition to the biodiversity heritage site proposal, with various groups, including farmers and citizens, expressing discontent.
Allegations have been made that the panchayat has not adequately informed the public about the details of the proposal.
A few days ago, citizens accused the panchayat of misguiding the people over the issue and not providing the details of the proposal.
Fr Dias highlighted that the properties under survey numbers 1 and 421, belonging to the St. Alex Church and the ‘Cofre’ of Monte Chapel, do not align with the objectives of the Curtorim Biodiversity Heritage Site. He stressed that such inclusion could lead to conflicts between authorities and locals.
“It must be said that the Committees of the said ‘Fabrica’ of St Alex Church, Curtorim and ‘Cofre’ of Monte Chapel are not against the Biodiversity Heritage Site proposal, but what these two official bodies wish to state categorically is that both the said properties surveyed under the survey number 1 and 421 do not come under the purview of the objectives of the Curtorim Biodiversity Heritage site,” stated Fr. Dias.
