TCP moves to protect 41 lakh sqm of ecologically sensitive land across Goa

Panaji: The town and country planning (TCP) department has proposed to classify 41 lakh sqm of ecologically sensitive land across Goa as non-developable area. While the department claims that it is taking steps to protect ecologically fragile land, environmentalists said that these paddy fields, mangroves, khazan lands, water bodies and sand dunes are already protected under environmental laws and Coastal Regulation Zone norms.

TCP minister Vishwajit Rane said that this tranche change of zone to non-developable area was taken by the TCP board on May 18. The five land parcels placed in the public domain for objections and suggestions, covers extensive stretches of paddy fields, mangroves, khazan lands, water bodies, orchards and irrigation command areas spread across Bardez, Salcete, Ponda, Pernem, Tiswadi, Bicholim, Mormugao and Canacona. None of these five zones were marked for settlement or conversion, the TCP department’s data shows.

An analysis of the notification shows that the largest area identified is in Benaulim, Salcete, where 12.41 lakh sqm of paddy fields, orchards and irrigation-command areas have been proposed as non-developable. This is followed by Shiroda, Ponda, where 8.87 lakh sqm of mangrove-rich land has been earmarked for protection.

In Guirim, Bardez, the department has proposed to protect 8.33 lakh sqm of paddy fields and orchard lands, while another 7.06 lakh sqm in Cavelossim, Salcete comprising paddy fields, mangroves, water bodies and khazan lands has also been brought under the non-developable category.

A further 5.43 lakh sqm at Tiracol in Pernem has been proposed for protection. The area includes natural cover, no-development slopes, orchards and land earmarked for eco-tourism.

The notification also contains a large cluster of mangrove and wetland parcels spread across villages including Nerul, Calvim, Aldona, Sircaim, Murda, Morambi-o-Pequeno, Carambolim, Chorao, Amona, Bandora, Cortalim, Renovadi, Borim and Panchawadi. These areas form part of the 8.87 lakh sqm Shiroda proposal, indicating an attempt by planners to create a wider network of protected coastal and riverine ecosystems.

Taluka-wise, Salcete accounts for the largest share of the protected area with nearly 19.47 lakh sqm, followed by Bardez with more than 8.32 lakh sqm, Ponda with about 8.87 lakh sqm, and Pernem with 5.43 lakh sqm.

The latest notification is significant because it contrasts with recent Section 39A proposals that primarily involved conversion of land to settlement zones.

However, the Enough is Enough movement called the recent batch of notifications an eyewash. Core team member of the Enough is Enough movement Norma Alvares said that the term non-developable area does not feature in the TCP Act and thus has no weight.