Team Goemkarponn
PANAJI: In a significant move aimed at environmental protection, the Town and Country Planning (TCP) Board, led by Minister Vishwajit Rane, has approved the reversion of nearly 10 lakh square metres of land in Pernem taluka to No-Development Zone (NDZ), marking a major correction to the Regional Plan 2021.
The decision impacts key areas across Chopdem, Mandrem, and Arambol, where large land parcels previously classified under mixed-use categories such as settlement, orchard, and natural cover have now been restored to non-developable status.
The move was formalised through a notification published in the Official Gazette on April 23, following approval at the TCP Board’s 231st meeting held on April 21, 2026.
Mandrem MLA Jit Arolkar welcomed the decision, describing it as a “birthday gift” and expressing gratitude to Minister Rane for what he termed “dynamic and timely decision-making” in safeguarding ecologically sensitive land.
According to officials, the reclassification is part of a broader effort to correct anomalies in the Regional Plan and ensure long-term environmental conservation. The identified land parcels collectively span around 15 lakh sq m, making it one of the largest such reversions in recent times.
In a parallel development, the Forest Department is expected to initiate steps to freeze these areas for future conservation, preventing any scope for developmental activities and preserving the natural ecosystem.
The TCP Department has invited objections and suggestions from the public within 30 days of the notification. The proposals are available for inspection at the Regional Plan Cell in Panaji, and feedback received will be considered before final implementation.
Officials said the move reflects the government’s renewed focus on sustainable planning and ecological protection in coastal and environmentally sensitive regions of Goa.
