Panaji: In an elaborate tweet, Goa chief minister Pramod Sawant on Wednesday listed measures taken by his government to preserving state’s natural resources, particularly its land resources and biodiversity.
Sawant said that the Government of Goa is aware of the importance of preserving the state’s natural resources, particularly its land resources and biodiversity.
“A series of proactive measures have been introduced to ensure the protection and sustainable management of these critical assets,” he said, before listing out various measures that has been taken by his government.
The chief minister said that Restriction on Transfer of Agricultural Land Act has been enacted to safeguard Goa’s agricultural land, this legislation aims to prevent misuse and restrict non-agricultural activities on farmland.
“Amendment to Section 32 of the Goa Land Revenue Code has reinforced the Goa Restriction on Transfer of Agricultural Land Act, 2023. This prevents agricultural land from being repurposed for non-agricultural uses, with a focus on protecting farmland and promoting cultivation,” he said.
The chief minister said that the land conversion Charges have been increased to discourage the conversion of all land types to maintain green cover, charges for changing land use have been increased from Rs 200 per square meter to Rs 1,000 per square meter.
“However, the previous rates have been retained for land parcels up to 500 square meters, providing relief to the general public,” he added.
The chief minister said that his government has introduced base rate adjustments in Bardez and Pernem talukas.
Sawant said that in an effort to curb land misuse, base rates for land in these talukas have been increased by 2.6 times, while the older rates continue to apply for land parcels under 500 square meters, ensuring that common men are not unduly burdened.
The chief minister said that the Government has also constituted a committee to study landslides and propose restoration measures in the State.
Sawant said that in addition, Goa Biodiversity Board has been taken up Notification of Biodiversity Heritage Sites, Wetland Conservation (15 Wetlands Notified), State Action Plan for Climate Change, Village level People’s Biodiversity Register (PBR) which are some of the measures taken for protecting Goa’s landscape.
