Goa: 8 Cr Sq M Land Declared No Development Zone

Panaji, May 12 (PTI) The Goa government has declared nearly 8 crore square metres of eco-sensitive area in the coastal state, including some popular beaches and a hill, as No Development Zones, Town and Country Planning Minister Vishwajit Rane said on Tuesday.

The decision, part of a series of notifications issued by the Town and Country Planning (TCP) Department, ensures that the world-famous beaches in the Mandrem area, including Arambol and Querim, are protected from deterioration, Rane told PTI.

Besides safeguarding sand dunes, the declaration also shields turtle nesting sites in this coastal belt, he said.

The TCP department has notified no development zones in Mandrem, Sattari in North Goa and Mormugao and Salcette in South Goa, which include an island and Wagheri Hill, one of the state's high altitude sites.



The notifications followed a detailed study of the eco-sensitivity of these areas and discussions in the TCP board meeting, Rane said.




"The department has been working under the guidance of Chief Minister Dr Pramod Sawant. We have notified 1.23 crore square metres of land as No Development Zone in the state so far since last fortnight, and the process will continue," he said.

In addition, 6.72 crore sqm land along the banks of the Mandovi and Zuari rivers has also been declared a No Development Zone, the minister said.



Rane said that to set an example, the 65 lakh sqm Wagheri Hill, partially owned by him in Sattari taluka, has been declared a No Development Zone.



"No development of any sort can be taken up now on this hill. I have protected it as my commitment towards environmental conservation in the state," he said.



Similar action has been taken in South Goa's Majorda area, the minister added.