Massive Public Opposition to Baga Hill Land Rezoning Proposal in Calangute
In a significant display of community resistance, more than 800 residents from the coastal villages of Calangute and Arpora in Goa have submitted a formal complaint to the chief town planner. The complaint vehemently opposes a controversial proposal to convert a vast 65,310 square meter tract of land on Baga hill into a settlement zone under Section 39A of the Town and Country Planning (TCP) Act.
Protected Land Under Threat
The land in question, which spans multiple survey numbers including 254/1 (part), 260/5, 266/2, and 76/0 in Calangute, along with plots 1, 3, 5, and 6 of survey number 57/1A in Arpora-Nagoa, is currently classified under the Regional Plan 2021. This classification designates it as no-development slope, orchard, private forest, or natural cover—categories intended to preserve the area's ecological integrity.
The proposed rezoning would effectively strip these protections, opening the door for large-scale development on environmentally sensitive hill slopes.
Environmental and Community Concerns Raised
Premanand Divkar, who filed the complaint on behalf of the villagers, articulated the community's deep-seated fears. "It is apparent that the TCP board is proceeding to permit large-scale destruction of hill slopes and areas under natural cover," Divkar stated. "Such changes will inflict severe damage on the environment, disturb the delicate ecological balance, and significantly increase the risk of landslides, flooding, and irreversible loss of biodiversity."
The complaint underscores that the move represents a dangerous precedent, prioritizing private interests over public welfare and environmental sustainability.
Panchayat Backs Residents' Stance
Adding institutional weight to the residents' opposition, the Arpora-Nagoa panchayat held a gram sabha on February 22 that expressed serious concern over the alleged misuse of Section 39A of the TCP Act for indiscriminate zoning changes. The assembly unanimously resolved to reject all such applications within the panchayat's jurisdiction.
"This proposal is yet another attempt to dilute the Regional Plan under the guise of 'development', while the real beneficiaries remain private interests," the complaint asserted, highlighting a pattern of exploiting legal provisions for commercial gain at the expense of community and environmental health.
Broader Implications for Regional Planning
The dispute highlights growing tensions between development pressures and conservation efforts in Goa's coastal regions. Residents argue that the proposed rezoning not only threatens local ecosystems but also sets a dangerous precedent for bypassing established planning frameworks designed to prevent haphazard urbanization.
With over 800 signatories, the complaint represents a formidable collective voice demanding transparency, accountability, and adherence to sustainable planning principles. The outcome of this confrontation could influence future land-use decisions across the state, testing the balance between economic development and environmental preservation.
