Team Goemkarponn
PANAJI: Goa’s ongoing private forest identification exercise has expanded further, with a government-appointed review committee detecting an additional 37.36 square kilometres of land that could qualify as private forest across the state.
The latest findings were submitted as part of the continuing reassessment of survey holdings that had either been left out earlier or required fresh scrutiny. Officials familiar with the process said the committee carried out field inspections, satellite mapping analysis and document verification before arriving at the revised figures.
The fresh addition is expected to intensify the debate surrounding private forest classification in Goa, an issue that has remained sensitive for both environmentalists and landowners over the years.
Sources said the newly identified areas are spread across multiple talukas and may now undergo further examination by the State government before any final notification is issued.
The private forest exercise originates from directions issued by courts and environmental authorities to protect ecologically sensitive green cover situated on privately owned land. Once an area is declared private forest, restrictions under forest and land-use laws come into force, impacting construction activity, land conversion and commercial development.
Several committees constituted in the past had already identified extensive stretches of private forest land in Goa. However, disputes over survey boundaries, ownership records and classification criteria resulted in repeated reviews and objections from affected landholders.
Environmental groups have consistently demanded stricter protection of forested areas, arguing that unchecked development has placed pressure on Goa’s ecology. On the other hand, many property owners have opposed fresh classifications, claiming that cultivated land and settlement zones are being wrongly included.
Officials indicated that the latest report will now be examined at the administrative level before further action is initiated.
