PORVORIM: Submitting that the inclusion of more area under forest cover would not be in the interest of State development, Forest Minister Rajendra Arlekar on Friday told the State Legislative Assembly that government would be soon coming up with the Private Forest Policy.
The minister said that pending finalisation of private forest cover of the State, relaxation would be granted to land or property, which have already obtained conversion sanads from the Town and Country Planning (TCP) department to undertake construction or development work.
Replying during the Zero Hour mention, Arlekar slammed his own department’s North and South Goa committees, currently in process of identifying and demarcating private forests, for slow progress in undertaking the survey. The minister said the government would be forced to reconsider the work of these committees, if it fails to submit the report soon.
The North Goa committee is headed by VT Thomas and South Goa by Francisco Araujo. The Zero Hour mention was made by Congress MLA Mauvin Godinho who brought to the notice of the House the difficulties faced by the people in undertaking constructions, due to the ongoing survey to demarcate private forest, even as conversion sanads are issued by TCP.
“Further increase in forest cover would not be in the interest of State. It would have major impact on the development, considering that almost 33 per cent of State is under forest and further restrictions like CRZ and others,” Arlekar told the House.
The minister said the government has already initiated the process to formulate Private Forest Policy, which would be ready soon. Admitting that the both committees on private forest are working at very slow speed, Arlekar said that until the government notifies the identified land as private forest, it cannot be demarcated and no permission can be denied.
Speaking on the issue, Leader of the Opposition Pratapsingh Rane appealed to the government not to include additional area under forest as it will hamper development. “Of the total 3,000 sq kms area, nearly 1,000 sq km area is under forest. And now with mangroves growing even in agricultural land, it would also come under forest,” he said.
“With this, no land would be left for development… for common man to undertake his activities… there will be restrictions everywhere,” Rane stated.
Independent MLA Rohan Khaunte demanded that government formulate a proper policy on identification, demarcation and maintenance of private forest cover.
