In a stark warning, former Chief Justice of the Allahabad High Court and ex-Bombay High Court judge, Ferdino Rebello, has raised serious concerns over alarming changes in land use policy in Goa. He stated that authorities are now permitting permanent and drastic alterations to land use by sidelining established guiding frameworks like the Regional Plan and Outline Development Plans (ODPs).
Bypassing Planned Development for Lifetime Changes
Justice Rebello highlighted the fundamental flaw in the current approach. He pointed out that while the Regional Plan and ODPs are designed to guide development for a specific period, the recent massive amendments being pushed through are intended to last a lifetime. This shift, he argues, is creating deep unrest among the citizens of Goa.
The core issue, according to Rebello, is that these sweeping changes are being allowed without first conducting a crucial study of the village's carrying capacity. This refers to the ability of the local environment and infrastructure to sustain development without degradation.
Arambol as a Catalyst for a Statewide Movement
Speaking specifically on the ongoing protests in Arambol, Rebello asserted that this should transform into a widespread people's movement across Goa. The goal is to protect the state's natural heritage—its hills, lakes, rivers, seashores, and villages—from unchecked development.
He criticized developers for creating hundreds of plots with amenities like swimming pools in areas where basic utilities are scarce. "We hardly get 1 hour of water every day," he remarked, underscoring the infrastructure deficit.
Rebello was particularly vehement about the development of hills. "They are converting hills into residential complexes; hills should not be developed at all. They should be preserved for eternity," he said. He firmly believes that no hill, regardless of its gradient, should be touched, and all laws permitting such zoning changes should be repealed with retrospective effect.
The Call for Precaution and Accountability
The former judge outlined a clear path forward to prevent environmental and social damage. He emphasized that all development must be subjected to the precautionary principle, where the developer bears the burden of proving that no harm will be caused to the environment, both now and in the future.
Rebello also called for strict accountability. He demanded that all officers, architects, and surveyors who file false notes or reports should face criminal and disciplinary proceedings. Furthermore, he insisted on decisive action against illegal Coastal Regulation Zone (CRZ) developments and the removal of all casinos from the Mandovi River.
His message is clear: planned development based on carrying capacity is non-negotiable. Allowing large-scale projects without adequate sewage treatment, water supply, and electricity ruins groundwater and overwhelms communities. For Goa to preserve its unique identity, Rebello argues, it must first protect its land.
