MARGAO: The Goa State Biodiversity Board (GSBB) has responded to objections raised by a group of villagers regarding the declaration of Curtorim as a Biodiversity Heritage Site (BHS). In a statement, Dr Pradip Sarmokadam, Member Secretary of GSBB, emphasised that the ongoing process in Curtorim is one of the most extensively consulted Biodiversity Heritage Site notifications in the State. Addressing concerns about the consultation process, Dr Sarmokadam mentioned the efforts of the Chairperson of the Curtorim Biodiversity Management Committee, and a series of meetings and consultations that were held to address grievances. The objections received within the stipulated timeframe were carefully reviewed by the grievance committee.
During the meetings, it was noted that adjustments were necessary, with some areas recommended for subtraction and others for addition, added Dr Sarmokadam.
On Tuesday, O Heraldo had reported that residents of Curtorim, led by Oswald Fernandes, recently filed objections, asserting that the consultation process lacked the villagers’ involvement. Simultaneously, a group of farmers submitted a memorandum to the Curtorim panchayat, urging a discussion on the matter during the upcoming gram sabha.
In response, GSBB clarified that the process of declaring Curtorim as a BHS commenced in June 2015, following a letter from Rosy Paes, the then Sarpanch of Curtorim. The process included a joint site inspection in June 2016 to assess the suitability of the site. Following due process, the draft notification for Curtorim BHS was made public for a 60-day period.
Dr Sarmokadam affirmed that the GSBB is in the final stages of the draft notification, which will soon be published in the official gazette. A 60-day window will be provided for addressing any further grievances, he added.
