Daijiworld Media Network – Panaji

Panaji, Jun 5: In a major move aimed at protecting Goa’s fragile environment, the Town and Country Planning (TCP) Board has decided to impose penalties of up to Rs 1 crore on individuals and entities involved in illegal hill cutting activities across the state.

The decision was taken during a meeting of the TCP Board chaired by Town and Country Planning Minister Vishwajit Rane on Thursday.

Addressing reporters after the meeting, Rane said violators would face escalating fines depending on the number of offences. A penalty of Rs 50 lakh will be imposed for the first violation, Rs 75 lakh for the second offence, and Rs 1 crore for a third violation.

The minister said that apart from monetary penalties, strict action under the provisions of the TCP Act would be initiated against offenders from the very first instance of violation.

Rane noted that special flying squads constituted by the department are already carrying out inspections and taking action against illegal hill-cutting activities. He also appealed to citizens to cooperate with authorities by reporting instances of environmental violations.

Stressing the government's commitment to environmental protection, the minister said stringent measures are necessary to curb activities that damage Goa’s ecological balance and natural landscape.

He further stated that the department has been regularly notifying large stretches of land as “No Development Zones” to safeguard ecologically sensitive areas and strengthen conservation efforts across the coastal state.