Daijiworld Media Network - Panaji

Panaji, Sep 21: The Town and Country Planning (TCP) Board in Goa has decided to remove all old settlements and settlement zones from the No Development Zone (NDZ), providing relief to property owners whose traditional settlements had been covered by development restrictions.

Town and Country Planning Minister Vishwajit Rane said the decision would ensure that existing and old settlement areas are not treated as no-development areas.

“Old settlements and settlement zones have been dropped from the No Development Zone/No Development Areas,” Rane said in a statement.

He, however, clarified that the decision would not dilute protections for environmentally sensitive and ecologically important areas.

“There will be no compromise on private forests, Khazan lands, salt pans, paddy fields, low-lying areas, non-development slopes and mangroves,” Rane said.

The decision comes amid an ongoing debate in Goa over land-use zoning, development restrictions and the protection of environmentally sensitive areas under the state's planning framework.

The TCP Department is responsible for preparing and implementing the Regional Plan for Goa, besides preparing Development Plans and zoning plans for notified planning areas and towns.

The removal of old settlements and settlement zones from the NDZ is expected to provide greater clarity to property owners in traditional settlement areas while retaining restrictions on ecologically sensitive land.