Team Goemkarponn
PANAJI: The Goa Town and Country Planning (TCP) Board has approved a stricter enforcement framework to curb illegal hill cutting across the state, introducing substantial monetary penalties for violators.
Speaking after a TCP Board meeting held on Thursday, TCP Minister Vishwajit Rane said the board has resolved to impose escalating fines on those found damaging hills and ecologically sensitive areas.
Under the new measures, a first violation will attract a penalty of ₹50 lakh, while a second offence will invite a fine of ₹75 lakh. Repeat offenders could face penalties of up to ₹1 crore.
The minister stated that, apart from financial penalties, legal proceedings under the TCP Act will be initiated from the very first offence.
He emphasized that the government is committed to taking firm action against activities that threaten Goa’s environment and natural landscape.
Rane noted that departmental flying squads are already conducting inspections and acting against illegal hill-cutting activities.
He also urged residents to report any such incidents to the authorities, saying public participation is vital in protecting the state’s ecological balance.
Highlighting the government’s conservation efforts, the minister said the department has been regularly designating large tracts of land as No Development Zones to safeguard environmentally sensitive locations and prevent unregulated construction.
