MARGAO: The Goa State Biodiversity Board (GSBB) has scheduled a meeting with all stakeholders, including farmers, to address any issues or misconceptions regarding the declaration of Curtorim as a biodiversity heritage site. The meeting is set for 3 pm on January 16.
While some farmers are currently opposing the declaration of the village as a biodiversity heritage site, it is reported that the Curtorim village panchayat passed a resolution in 2015 to declare the village as such.
The GSBB has clarified that it will not notify Curtorim as a biodiversity heritage site until the village panchayat submits the required details.
Despite this, there has been confusion, with some creating the impression that the village panchayat has already submitted the details, and the government is in the process of notifying it.
Sources from the GSBB informed O Heraldo that the opposition from a few farmers is based on misconceptions. These farmers believe that the government will take away their rights, while the notification explicitly states that villagers will retain their pre-existing rights.The GSBB has urged villagers to read the notification, which is available on its website.
