MARGAO: The Goa State Biodiversity Board (GSBB) on Saturday directed Curtorim Village Panchayat to submit the duly signed map of extent of areas of Curtorim Biodiversity Heritage Site in order to commence the process of notification.
Herald on Saturday highlighted the issue pertaining to the same wherein it was stressed that the process of notification of Curtorim Biodiversity Heritage Site (BHS) is yet to commence. Two years have been passed since the proposal of the same was submitted to the Goa State Biodiversity Board.
It was revealed that the internal issues between the Curtorim Village Panchayat and Curtorim Biodiversity Committee, besides an objection from one of the citizens, had resulted in delay to submit the map.
The GSBB in the letter issued to the panchayat has stated that the entire process to form a committee which would finalise the extent of BHS area and provide a duly signed map should have been completed in September 2021, and the final notification could be sent further in October 2021 for notification.
“Till date the GSBB has only received communication about the committee constituted by the panchayat body. The area of extent of BHS is awaited, you are requested to comply and send the area map at the earliest not exceeding seven days," it further stated.
Dr Pradeep Sarmokadam, member secretary, GSBB also said that it is felt that further public consultations will not be required as the consultations were already held in the past to the satisfaction of all except the complainant Gromiko Fernandes which also stands resolved as the apprehensions raised by him against the draft notification stands resolved at the meeting.
The GSBB has given seven days time to Curtorim Village Panchayat to comply and submit the duly signed map as to enable it to go ahead with the Curtorim BHS notification.