Panaji: Town and Country Planning (TCP) Board has notified more than 1.02 crore square metres of ecologically sensitive land across Salcette, Quepem and Dharbandora talukas as No Development Zone (NDZ), a move aimed at protecting paddy fields, slopes and other environmentally fragile areas from future development.
The decision was taken at a meeting of the TCP Board chaired by Town and Country Planning Minister Vishwajit Rane, with the notification being issued on July 16, officials said.
According to the notification, a total of 1,02,67,954 square metres of land has been brought under the NDZ category.
The notified areas include 40,89,800 square metres in Cuncolim, 16,73,530 square metres in Deussa, 15,71,572 square metres in Cavorim, 9,50,188 square metres in Chandor, 9,31,483 square metres in Davorlim, and 8,19,371 square metres in Veroda, all in Salcette taluka.
The notification also covers 1,46,451 square metres in Pilliem in Dharbandora taluka, besides 21,922 square metres in Deao, 10,512 square metres in Xeldem and 1,125 square metres in Sirvoi in Quepem taluka.
Officials said the notified land comprises ecologically sensitive areas such as paddy fields, natural slopes and low-lying regions that play a crucial role in groundwater recharge, flood mitigation and biodiversity conservation.
The latest notification is part of the state government’s ongoing exercise to restore environmentally sensitive areas to the NDZ category following a review of land-use classifications under the Regional Plan. The move is intended to prevent unregulated construction and preserve Goa’s fragile ecological balance.
