CUNCOLIM: Serious concerns are being raised over the apparent absence or lack of transparency regarding the functioning of the Biodiversity Management Committee (BMC) under the Cuncolim Municipal Council, casting a shadow over the outgoing council’s claims of being a “#SmartCouncil.”
Under the provisions of the Biological Diversity Act, 2002, it is mandatory for every local body, including municipalities, to constitute a Biodiversity Management Committee to document and protect local biological resources. However, records pertaining to the BMC in Cuncolim remain unclear, outdated, or inaccessible to the public.
The BMC is a crucial statutory body tasked with preparing the People’s Biodiversity Register (PBR), a detailed account of local flora, fauna, and traditional ecological knowledge. It also plays a key role in regulating access to biological resources and ensuring environmental safeguards within municipal limits.
Despite these responsibilities, activists and concerned citizens allege that the outgoing Cuncolim council failed to maintain a visible or active BMC. Critics argue that this reflects a serious lapse in statutory compliance, especially at a time when environmental concerns such as unregulated development and pollution threats are on the rise.
The Goa State Biodiversity Board, which oversees the implementation of biodiversity policies in the state, mandates the formation and periodic updating of BMCs. While GSBB records confirm that such committees are required across all municipalities, updated information regarding the Cuncolim BMC’s composition or activities is not readily available in the public domain.
Environmentalists point out that Cuncolim has previously witnessed civic resistance to potentially harmful projects, including proposed fish meal plants, highlighting the importance of a functional BMC to safeguard local ecosystems. In the absence of an active committee, questions are being raised about who is monitoring biodiversity conservation, tree replantation obligations, and the regulation of bio-resource use.
“The council proudly branded itself as a ‘Smart Council,’ but failed in fulfilling even basic statutory requirements,” said a local observer. “Without a functioning BMC, how can sustainable development be ensured?”
The issue has sparked debate among residents, with many calling for greater transparency and accountability from elected representatives. The hashtags #SmartCouncil and #SmartCouncillors are now being used sarcastically by critics to highlight what they describe as governance gaps.
As the tenure of the current council comes to an end, citizens and environmental groups are urging authorities to clarify the status of the BMC and ensure that the incoming council prioritizes compliance with environmental laws and the protection of Cuncolim’s natural heritage.
Original article
Comments