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The Goa forest department has designated approximately 6.27 crore square metres of land along the Mandovi and Zuari rivers as ecologically sensitive, effectively restricting construction and commercial activity in these areas. The decision, communicated to the Town and Country Planning (TCP) department in the past week, follows directives issued by the state’s forest minister. Covering about 6,729.54 hectares across riverbanks, the classification requires the TCP department to enforce provisions under the Town and Country Planning Act. The move introduces regulatory constraints on development across key waterfront stretches, with implications for real estate activity and land use planning in the state.
The Goa forest department stated in the past week that it has identified and designated around 6,729.54 hectares of land—equivalent to approximately 6.27 crore square metres—along the banks of the Mandovi and Zuari rivers as ecologically sensitive, restricting the scope for construction and commercial development in these stretches under existing planning regulations. Advertisement
The decision was conveyed through a formal communication to the Town and Country Planning (TCP) department, following directives issued by Forest Minister Vishwajit Rane earlier in the past week. The exercise involved the identification and delineation of ecologically vulnerable areas along the two major river systems in the state.
According to the forest department, once an area is classified as ecologically sensitive, the TCP department is required to ensure that no construction or commercial development is permitted within these notified zones. The designation brings the identified land parcels under stricter regulatory oversight, effectively limiting their development potential and altering permissible land use.
The notification covers riverbank stretches along both the Mandovi and Zuari rivers, which are among Goa’s primary water bodies and are integral to the state’s environmental and ecological framework. The total area identified spans 6,729.54 hectares, as stated in the official communication issued to the TCP department, which has been asked to take necessary action in accordance with the provisions of the Town and Country Planning Act.
The move places a regulatory obligation on planning authorities to incorporate these ecologically sensitive zones into development plans and approvals, ensuring compliance with environmental safeguards. It also signals a tightening of land-use controls in waterfront areas that have historically seen development interest due to their location and tourism potential.
While the forest department has completed the delineation exercise, the implementation now rests with the TCP department, which will be responsible for enforcing restrictions on construction and commercial activity within the identified zones. The classification is expected to influence ongoing and future development proposals in these areas, particularly those involving residential, hospitality, or mixed-use projects along the riverbanks.
The identification of these ecologically sensitive areas follows a broader administrative effort to map vulnerable landscapes and align land-use planning with environmental considerations, particularly in regions experiencing development pressure.
Source - PTI
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