Goa Declares Over 82 Lakh Square Metres as No Development Zone to Protect Hills

The Goa government has declared over 82,85,000 square metres of land in areas including Majorda and Gonsua as No Development Zone (NDZ) to protect hills, slopes and fragile ecosystems, officials from the Town and Country Planning Department confirmed. The TCP Board approved the notification to halt unregulated construction and prevent hill cutting driven by rapid urbanisation.

The Union Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change has concurrently approved the state's proposal to designate 6,729.54 hectares along the Mandovi and Zuari riverbanks as eco-sensitive zones, strengthening regulatory powers to block new development. Forest Minister Vishwajit Rane stated that the Forest Department has directed the Town and Country Planning Department to prohibit construction in these areas and enforce compliance.

Authorities are also preparing to extend the NDZ classification to rice fields and low-lying regions to preserve agricultural land and prevent ecological degradation. The government cited rising public concern over environmental damage from unchecked construction as a key factor behind the decisions.

The Forest Department has instructed officials to monitor construction activities along river stretches, while the state finalises additional NDZ notifications. The TCP Board will review further proposals for protected zones in the coming weeks.