MARGAO: The upcoming gram sabha of the Curtorim village panchayat is poised to be a tense affair, with the declaration of Curtorim as a Biodiversity Heritage Site taking center stage. Concerns among farmers have escalated, prompting a substantial presence seeking clarification during the Sunday meeting.
Chairman of the Curtorim Biodiversity Management Committee, J. Santan Rodrigues, has stepped forward to address apprehensions surrounding the declaration. Rodrigues clarified that the notification does not pertain to wetlands, alleviating fears among community members.
The proposed designation, according to Rodrigues, will not adversely affect existing agricultural and fishing activities in the region. Emphasising this, he stated that the process was the largest consulted and most delayed, acknowledging various impediments in achieving consensus.
Recently, a group of farmers submitted a memorandum to the panchayat opposing the final draft notification for the Curtorim Biodiversity Heritage Site and filed a complaint before the Goa State Biodiversity Board. Rodrigues clarified that the notification does not apply to wetlands, ensuring that all preexisting rights and privileges, including agriculture, fishing, and cultivation, will continue.
Rodrigues addressed the farmers’ concerns but also offered transparency by providing a detailed account of the process.
Starting from January 26, 2015, up to December 8, 2023, Rodrigues outlined the chronological sequence of events, encompassing correspondences, meetings, site inspections, the drafting of notifications, preparation of maps, and corrections in the site plans.
Despite these clarifications, a group of farmers is demanding more insights, claiming that their suggestions have not been adequately considered.
The gram sabha is anticipated to be a platform for further discussions and clarifications on the matter.
