Forest Dept to go ahead with public hearing at Cotigao
HERALD REPORTER
PANJIM, SEPT 29
Notwithstanding Opposition from the locals, the Forest department will go ahead with the public hearing at Cotigao for Critical Wildlife Habitat (CWH) scheduled on September 30.
The residence of Cotigao and surrounding villagers are likely to strongly object to the declaration of the sanctuary as CWH during the public hearing on Thursday.
“Let them oppose…we will go ahead with the hearing and will try to explain them how important the CWH status is,” Principal Chief Conservator of Forest (PCCF), Dr Shashi Kumar told Herald on Wednesday morning.
Dr Kumar said that the aim of the public hearing is just to inform the villagers what the Department is planning to do and how it will benefit the locals.
“This hearing is been conducted to recognise the rights and claims of the affected villagers if any,” he added.
The PCCF said that even after declaring these areas as CWH, the rights of scheduled tribe and other traditional forest dwellers, who are recognised under Forests Rights Act, 2006 will be protected.
“No development, whatsoever, will be allowed in the area once it is given CWH status,” he clarified.
The 86 sq km spread Cotigao wildlife sanctuary was established in 1969 and is located in Canacona Taluka.
Like Cotigao, the Forest Department had also faced objection from Chorao residence in declaring Dr Salim Ali bird sanctuary as CWH. Currently the matter has been kept on hold.
Bondla wildlife sanctuary is the first one to be notified as CWH.
