The Town and Country Planning (TCP) department in Goa has issued directions to convert four land parcels, covering a total area of 31.5 lakh square meters, into no development zones under Section 39A of the Goa Town and Country Planning Act. Once approved, these parcels will see a change in their zoning classification in the Regional Plan for Goa 2021.
Details of the Proposed No Development Zones
According to the notification, the proposals involve eco-sensitive land uses, including mangroves, salt pans, khazan lands, paddy fields, orchards, and a water body. The Goa Town and Country Planning Board approved these proposals on May 18.
The largest parcel is located at Tiswadi's Morombi-O-Pequeno, encompassing mangroves, salt pans, khazan lands, and paddy fields, with a total area of 13 lakh square meters recommended for no development zoning.
In Loutolim, paddy fields and mangroves spread across 13 lakh square meters have been proposed for no development zoning. At Murda in Tiswadi, orchard land, water bodies, mangroves, salt pans, khazan lands, and paddy fields covering 4.6 lakh square meters have been proposed. In Navelim, Salcete, orchard land and khazan lands spread over 1 lakh square meters have been proposed for no development zoning.
Public Participation and Other Approvals
The TCP department has kept a 30-day window for public suggestions or objections regarding these proposals. Simultaneously, the department has approved six proposals for the conversion of 27,549 square meters of land to settlement zones under Section 39A in the villages of Reis Magos, Tivim, Oxel, Calangute, Cuncolim, and Chorao. Objections and suggestions have also been invited for these proposals.
These steps aim to balance environmental conservation with urban development, ensuring that ecologically sensitive areas are preserved while facilitating planned growth in other regions.
