Goa’s Town and Country Planning Department has moved to classify more than 82.8 lakh square metres of land across the State as No Development Zones (NDZ) under Section 39A of the TCP Act, in a move that comes amid sustained criticism of alleged misuse of land conversion powers by TCP Minister Vishwajit Rane.
The proposals, notified by the TCP Department following recommendations by the TCP Board, seek to place large tracts of land beyond the scope of development activity. The largest portion identified under the proposed NDZ classification lies in Keri, Sattari, where nearly 65.31 lakh square metres comprising natural cover, slopes, and irrigation command areas have been earmarked for protection.
Additional parcels proposed for NDZ classification include around 6.44 lakh square metres of orchard land in Mandrem village of Pernem taluka, along with ecologically sensitive stretches in Majorda measuring approximately 2.5 lakh square metres, Gonsua with around 1.95 lakh square metres, and another 1.03 lakh square metres in Cavelossim in Salcete taluka.
The proposals have already triggered political discussion and local concern, particularly in Cavelossim, where the notification recommending the reclassification of 1.03 lakh square metres of mixed-use land — including paddy fields, orchards, mangroves, and settlement areas — came as a surprise to local stakeholders.
Cavelossim Sarpanch Dixon Vaz questioned the process behind the proposal and said neither the village panchayat nor the landowner had sought such a zoning change. The issue raised concerns about whether the exercise had been initiated unilaterally by the TCP authorities.
© instagram.com/dixonvaz1129
Rane, however, defended the exercise and insisted it was aimed at ecological restoration rather than fresh conversion activity.
“This is restoration, not conversion,” Rane had said while responding to criticism over the notifications.
He argued that paddy fields and environmentally sensitive areas could not be subjected to unrestricted development and maintained that the TCP Department was merely restoring land to its original ecological character.
Rane had also clarified to Benaulim MLA Venzy Viegas that the notifications were intended to protect fragile terrain and environmentally vulnerable zones.
The large-scale NDZ push comes at a politically sensitive time for the TCP Minister, who has faced mounting protests and criticism in recent weeks over alleged irregularities linked to land conversions under Section 39A.
Former Chief Justice Ferdino Rebello, through the “Enough is Enough” movement, has been among those raising concerns regarding land conversion decisions and alleged corruption linked to development permissions.
Public anger over the issue intensified after St Andre MLA Viresh Borkar staged a fast and protesters marched to Dona Paula, surrounding Rane’s residence in a demonstration against what critics described as opaque land conversion practices favouring real estate interests.
Against that backdrop, the latest notifications are being viewed by many as a significant political pivot by the TCP Department. The same Section 39A mechanism that had drawn criticism for allegedly enabling controversial land conversions is now being projected as an instrument for environmental protection and ecological preservation.
Political observers say the move may help the government reposition itself amid rising public scrutiny over Goa’s increasingly contentious land politics. However, questions remain over transparency, intent, and whether the exercise represents a genuine environmental intervention or a strategic attempt at damage control.
Leave a Reply