Daijiworld Media Network – Panaji

Panaji, Jul 19: The Goa government has notified 1.02 crore square metres of ecologically sensitive land across the state as a No Development Zone (NDZ) to protect paddy fields, natural slopes and other environmentally fragile areas from future development, officials said on Sunday.

The decision was taken at a meeting chaired by Town and Country Planning Minister Vishwajit Rane.

According to a notification issued by the Town and Country Planning Board on July 16, 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 of South Goa district.

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 of Kushavati district.

Officials said the notified land comprises ecologically sensitive areas, including paddy fields, natural slopes and low-lying regions that play a vital 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 aimed at preventing unregulated construction and preserving Goa's fragile ecological balance, officials added.