Goa Town and Country Planning Department Proposes 1.1 Crore Sqm as Non-Developable Area
More than 1.1 crore square metres of land across Goa have been proposed to be brought under the Non-Developable Area (NDA) category in the Regional Plan of Goa, according to a fresh notification issued by the town and country planning (TCP) department. The department continues to designate already protected zones such as sand dunes, forests and mangroves as protected land within the Regional Plan framework.
Clusters Spread Across Four Talukas
The proposals, approved by the town and country planning board, cover seven large clusters spread across Salcete, Tiswadi, Bicholim and Bardez. The largest tract identified for protection is in Carmona village of Salcete, where 30.4 lakh sqm of paddy fields, orchards, mangroves, fish farms, water bodies and riverine areas have been recommended for conversion into non-developable area. Varca follows with 24 lakh sqm, while St Andre-Goa Velha in Tiswadi accounts for another 18.1 lakh sqm. Betalbatim (13 lakh sqm), Colva (6.9 lakh sqm), Sernabatim (6.3 lakh sqm) and Mayem in Bicholim (4.6 lakh sqm) make up the remaining areas.
Redesignation of Land in North Goa
The TCP department has also moved to redesignate 10.7 lakh sqm of land in Chopdem, Mandrem and Arambol villages. The changes have now received final government approval after completion of the statutory process, including public consultation and consideration by the TCP board. The notification has now been placed in the public domain for objections and suggestions before a final decision is taken by the state government.
Salcete Villages Account for Over 70% of Proposed Area
The four Salcete villages of Carmona, Varca, Betalbatim and Sernabatim account for nearly 74 lakh sqm, or more than 70% of the total area proposed for protection. The selected lands include extensive stretches of paddy fields, khazan lands, mangroves, irrigation command areas, sand dunes, water bodies and river systems.
Shift in Use of Section 39A Provisions
The notification continues the shift in the use of Section 39A provisions. While approvals have largely focused on converting agricultural and natural cover lands into settlement zones, the Enough is Enough movement appears to have nudged the TCP department to move in the opposite direction by offering statutory protection for ecologically sensitive landscapes that already have legal protection under Coastal Regulatory Zone regulations and the TCP’s own norms.
Environmental and Developmental Implications
If finalised, the changes would significantly strengthen safeguards over large coastal and low-lying ecosystems that play a critical role in flood mitigation, groundwater recharge, agriculture and biodiversity conservation. The proposals would also reduce the scope for future development in several environmentally sensitive belts of South Goa and Tiswadi. The TCP department has invited public suggestions and objections within 30 days of publication of the notification.
