Forest Minister Rajendra Arlekar takes a close look at one of the Curtorim lakes with a binocular. Santosh Mirajkar
MARGAO
Asserting that Goenkarponn can be seen in the village, Forest Minister Rajendra Arlekar on Saturday said that Curtorim will be the first village to be declared as a heritage site with respect to bioÂ-diversity if the government decides to declare villages as heritage site.
“Right now, there are no heritage sites with respect to bioÂ-diversity. If Curtorim becomes the heritage site, it will be the first village of its kind in Goa. Goenkarponn cannot be retained through mere speeches," Arlekar on Saturday told the media after inspecting the lakes in Curtorim following a representation received from the local residents and the bioÂ-diversity committee.
After inspecting the lakes, an elated Arlekar sought to know why the government should not step in and preserve these water bodies. “So far, the villagers have preserved these natural water resources. The government would do everything possible to preserve the lakes and help the local residents. Whatever necessary needs to be done will be done," he added.
When the media drew his attention to the status enjoyed by Curtorim village as the granary of Salcete, Arlekar shot back “Curtorim is not just the granary of Salcete. At the Goa level too, you will not find so many lakes and water bodies. We have to preserve the lakes and the khazan lands."
Saying that lots of funds can be pumped in Curtorim village once it is declared as a heritage site, the Forest Minister said that Curtorim can indeed be a model village. “We can to it. It’s not that we cannot do. People of Curtorim still cultivate the fields. There’s no doubt about this," he said, while saying that officials of the Agriculture, Forest, Water Resources will prepare their own reports and submit to the bioÂ-diversity committee for necessary action.
Goa State Bio-diversity Board member secretary Pradip V Sarmokadam, Curtorim deputy sarpanch Rui Menezes, former deputy sarpanchas J Santano Rodrigues and Simon Barretto and villagers were present during the inspection.
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Forest Minister Rajendra Arlekar pays respect at the miraculous Khandi Khuris at MainaÂ-Curtorim on Saturday. Deputy Sarpanch Rui Menezes and panch Simon Barretto are also present. Santosh Mirajkar
Arlekar rules out rethink on coconut tree
MARGAO: Unfazed by the Maad Yatra proposed to be taken out from his Pernem constituency on Sunday, Forest Minister Rajendra Arlekar on Saturday firmly ruled out the question of doing any reÂthink on the amendment reÂclassifying a coconut tree.
“I do not know whether the yatra will have any impact in Pernem. There will be no impact. Those who have cut down coconut trees to make way for a house, are now going to Pernem to hug trees. You cannot fool the people all the time. People of Goa are aware of who are trying to fool them. These people are only indulging in drama. They should remember that they cannot take the people of Goa for granted," Arlekar told The Goan on the sidelines of his visit to Curtorim village Saturday evening.
He replied in the negative when The Goan further asked him whether there’s any possibility of a reÂthink on the amendment reÂclassifying the coconut tree.
