PANAJI: Just days after the town and country planning department annulled the conversion of 300,000 sqm in Arambol, the department approved the conversion of eco-sensitive land under Section 39A of the Goa Town and Country Planning Act in Calangute, Para, Anjuna, and Aldona.
The department authorized 15 proposals that collectively convert 35,685 sqm of orchards and natural tree cover into settlement zones, predominantly affecting ecologically sensitive areas sought by real estate developers.
The TCP board adopted these proposals during its 225th meeting, issuing a relevant gazette notification thereafter. A significant portion of the land identified for conversion exists within Calangute, Anjuna, Parra, and Aldona, villages already facing considerable pressures from real estate development.
Across these 15 proposals, over 70% of the land involves orchard, natural cover, irrigation command areas, or classifications deemed unsuitable for development.
While many approvals come with conditional clauses from various line departments, critics express concern that the TCP continues to approve these applications in piecemeal fashion, without a comprehensive environmental impact study.
A 30-day window has been provided for stakeholders to submit objections. Once closed, the TCP Board is expected to present its final recommendations to the state government.
In Anjuna, one single proposal by ELParaiso Ventures LLP accounts for 11,082 sqm of newly designated settlement land. This area includes portions classified as natural cover and irrigation command areas and is subject to recommendations from the water resources department, emphasizing the existence of sensitive water-linked zones.
Among the proposals is one by Ashvagandha Betelnuts Pvt Ltd in Calangute, which seeks to convert 6,525 sqm of land classified as natural cover and part of a heritage landscape to settlement. This area is located within 500 meters of the high tide line and awaits input from the forest department and the Goa Coastal Zone Management Authority (GCZMA).
Another sizeable clearance in Calangute was granted to Morpheus Hospitality Pvt Ltd for 3,862 sqm of natural cover with no development slope to be converted to settlement, also contingent upon forest department approval.
The Bardez taluka accounts for nearly two-thirds of the area that has received approvals, with 7 proposals covering around 23,500 sqm. These include smaller conversions from orchard to settlement in Aldona and a mixed natural cover conversion in Parra, where 1,171 sqm was cleared despite being categorized as a no-development slope.
In Khola, Canacona, luxury developer Vianaar and Megrez Estates received permission to convert 4,500 sqm of orchard land.
Beyond Bardez, the notification reveals a conversion of 4,000 sqm of natural cover in Usgao, Ponda, and land release from the institutional zone in Carambolim, Tiswadi, where two distinct plots were authorized for residential use.
