Says areas tagged as biodiversity sites without its NOC
MARGAO
The Curtorim Comunidade has requested the Goa State Biodiversity Board for the omission of Comunidade lands from the draft Biodiversity Heritage Site (BHS) map sans NOC.
In a letter addressed to Pradip Sarmokhadam, Member Secretary of Goa State Biodiversity Board, Comunidade president Wonodulfo Da Costa has raised alarm that the draft Biodiversity Heritage Ste (BHS) map, which has been made public, includes several areas belonging to the Comunidade, specifically the paddy fields and lakes, labelled as wetland ecosystems, and some lands designated as social forestry, without prior consultation or consent from the Comunidade.
“The Comunidade of Curtorim is an institution with deep historical roots, predating the formation of the Village Panchayat. For centuries, we have been custodians of these lands, preserving and managing them in accordance with the sustainable practices and traditions passed down through generations. The unilateral decision to include these lands in the BHS, thereby potentially altering their use without the express approval of the Comunidade, is both surprising and deeply concerning,” he said.
Da Costa reminded the Panchayat that any decisions regarding land use changes within the territories of the Comunidade must be discussed in the general body meeting of the gavkars (members) and shareholders, in strict adherence to the Code of Comunidade. “This process ensures that all stakeholders have a voice in matters affecting their land and heritage," he said.
Furthermore, the Comunidade president said that labelling the lands without seeking a No Objection Certificate (NOC) from the Comunidade not only undermines the autonomy but also disregards the financial implications these changes may impose upon the comunidade. “The Comunidade deserves the basic courtesy of consultation and agreement before any such proposals are drafted or implemented, especially when they have the potential to significantly impact the community and its heritage,” he said.
Demanding that all references to Comunidade lands be omitted from the draft BHS map unless and until the Comunidade has given its explicit consent through the issuance of a NOC, the president sought an immediate dialogue to discuss this matter further and to explore a path forward that respects the rights and traditions of the Comunidade of Curtorim.
“We trust that the Panchayat will understand the gravity of our concerns and act promptly to address them. The Comunidade is committed to working collaboratively with the Panchayat to ensure that any environmental or heritage conservation efforts are carried out with the full consent and participation of all stakeholders involved,” he added.
