Town and Country Planning (TCP) Minister Vishwajit Rane has announced that the TCP Board has resolved to protect all private forest and wildlife sanctuary areas in Goa, based on recommendations and communications received from the Forest Department.
Speaking on the decision, Rane said that 554 survey numbers belonging to Zuari, which had earlier been removed from the private forest list, will continue to enjoy protected status. He noted that relevant evidence has already been submitted before the Supreme Court and that a judicial stay on the removal of private forests remains in force.
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The minister stated that the State Government, the Forest Department and the Town and Country Planning Department have a shared responsibility to provide “double-layer protection” to ecologically sensitive areas to ensure their long-term conservation.
Rane further affirmed that all private forest committee reports submitted before the National Committee as well as directions issued by the Supreme Court of India will be strictly implemented by both the TCP and Forest Departments. He stressed that there would be no scope for manipulation and that all decisions would be guided solely by official private forest reports and court orders.
He also informed that the necessary information relating to private forests and protected areas will be submitted in a phased manner to the Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change, Government of India, reinforcing the state’s commitment to safeguarding Goa’s ecological heritage.
