Goa Declares 82 Lakh Sq Mt As No Development Zone

The Goa government has declared over 82 lakh square meters of land as No Development Zone (NDZ) to protect eco-sensitive zones and prevent unplanned construction on hills, according to Town and Country Planning officials. The decision, approved by the TCP Board, encompasses areas including Majorda, Gonsua, and others, covering a total of 82,85,000+ square meters.

The Union Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change has also approved the Goa Forest Ministry's proposal to declare 6.72 crore square meters of land along the Mandovi and Zuari riverbanks as 'eco-sensitive'. This central approval will empower the state government to halt any further development in the region, necessary for safeguarding the fragile river ecosystem, according to Forest Minister Vishwajit Rane.

The total area falling in this riverine zone is 6,729.54 hectares, covering key areas considered crucial for maintaining ecological balance, officials said.

The government is moving to declare rice fields and low-lying areas as NDZs under existing laws, with Minister Rane noting that the policy leverages legal provisions to prevent the misuse of land designated for agriculture and ensure the preservation of the state's green cover. The state government will now work on implementing these decisions, with the Forest Department set to curb unregulated development along critical waterways and the Town and Country Planning Department informed to halt any development in the designated areas.