Goa has declared more than 82 lakh square metres of land as No Development Zone (NDZ) as part of measures to curb unplanned construction and protect ecologically sensitive areas, according to officials from the Town and Country Planning (TCP) Department.
The decision, approved by the TCP Board, covers areas including Majorda and Gonsua, spanning over 82,85,000 square metres. Officials said the move is aimed at protecting hill slopes and mound areas where construction and land flattening activities have raised environmental concerns.
“Over 82 lakh sq mts declared No Development Zone,” an official communication stated, adding that the measure is intended to preserve the natural topography and prevent indiscriminate development.
Riverbank Protection
In a parallel development, the Union Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change has approved a proposal submitted by the Goa Forest Department to declare 6.72 crore square metres of land along the Mandovi and Zuari riverbanks as eco-sensitive zones. Forest Minister Vishwajit Rane said the approval would enable the state government to restrict further development in these areas to safeguard fragile river ecosystems.
Officials said the notified riverine area covers nearly 6,729.54 hectares and includes ecologically significant stretches considered important for maintaining environmental balance.
The proposal was submitted by the state forest department to the Centre earlier this year. Subsequently, the Forest Department also informed the Town and Country Planning Department that no development activity should be permitted within the proposed eco-sensitive areas.
Focus On Agricultural Land
Rane also said the government plans to declare rice fields and low-lying areas as No Development Zones under existing legal provisions.
“Rice fields and low-lying areas will be declared NDZ to protect the ecology,” Rane said.
According to officials, the move is intended to prevent the conversion and misuse of agricultural land while preserving the state’s green cover and natural drainage systems. |
