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Goa's Town and Country Planning (TCP) Department has released 14 proposals to change land use under Section 39A, converting nearly 11,908 sqm of green cover, orchards, and natural cover into settlement zones across Bardez, Ponda, Quepem, and Salcete. These proposals are open for public objections over 30 days, with final approvals contingent on clearances from the forest department, Coastal Zone Management Authority, and Water Resources Department. The move follows growing debate over Section 39A, introduced to correct zoning inconsistencies but opposed by locals for potential ecological impact.
Goa's Town and Country Planning Department has notified 14 land-use change proposals under Section 39A of the TCP Act, aiming to convert plots currently designated as green cover, orchards, natural cover, or no-development slopes into settlement zones. The combined area covered by these proposals is around 11,908 sqm, spread across the talukas of Bardez, Ponda, Quepem, and Salcete. Advertisement
Among the largest proposals are two adjoining plots in Arpora, Bardez. Beyond Villas LLP has requested the conversion of 5,642 sqm, partly comprising orchard and natural cover including a no-development slope. Another proposal from Omega Architects Pvt Ltd seeks reclassification of 4,509 sqm in the same survey holding. Both proposals require final clearance from the forest department before approval.
In Candolim, Viiking Media & Entertainment has sought approval to convert 1,890 sqm of orchard land within a larger 10,150 sqm settlement holding. Smaller plots, ranging from 175 sqm to 608 sqm, are included in other proposals in Ponda, Quepem, Sao Jose de Areal, and Loutolim, covering orchard land, irrigated agricultural land, and natural cover. Many of these plots require additional approvals from the Coastal Zone Management Authority and Water Resources Department because of ecological or irrigation sensitivities.
In Ponda taluka's Usgao village, four proposals include two requests to convert 225 sqm of natural cover each and two others for orchard plots of 175 sqm and 349 sqm. In Quepem, a 608 sqm orchard plot awaits comments from the forest department and Coastal Zone Management Authority. In Sao Jose de Areal, four applicants proposed conversion of irrigated agricultural land, which will require clearance from the Water Resources Department. Loutolim has a 500 sqm orchard plot included in the proposals.
Section 39A was introduced to allow corrections in the regional and outline development plans where zoning inconsistencies exist. Critics, however, have raised concerns that the provision could encourage piecemeal spot zoning that may threaten ecological areas. The TCP department has opened a 30-day public objection window, and all proposals are subject to final approvals from relevant authorities, ensuring environmental and planning compliance.
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