Team Goemkarponn
PANAJI: The Goa government has notified 1.02 crore square metres of ecologically sensitive land as No Development Zone (NDZ), further strengthening efforts to protect paddy fields, natural slopes and other environmentally fragile areas from future development.
The notification was issued by the Town and Country Planning (TCP) Department on July 16 following a meeting chaired by TCP Minister Vishwajit Rane. It comes days after the government proposed an additional 82 lakh square metres for NDZ status. With the latest move, the total area identified for protection under the Regional Plan has crossed 15 crore square metres over the past two months.
According to the draft notification, 1,02,67,954 square metres have been proposed for inclusion under the NDZ category.
Among the notified areas, Cuncolim accounts for the largest share with 40,89,800 sq m, followed by Deussa (16,73,530 sq m), Cavorim (15,71,572 sq m), Chandor (9,50,188 sq m), Davorlim (9,31,483 sq m) and Veroda (8,19,371 sq m), all located in Salcete taluka of South Goa.
The notification also includes 1,46,451 sq m at Pilliem in Dharbandora taluka, along with 21,922 sq m at Deao, 10,512 sq m at Xeldem and 1,125 sq m at Sirvoi in Quepem taluka.
The proposed NDZ areas consist of ecologically sensitive landscapes such as paddy fields, natural slopes and low-lying regions that play a vital role in groundwater recharge, flood mitigation and biodiversity conservation. The government believes the move will help prevent unregulated construction while preserving Goa’s fragile environment.
