MARGAO: The NGO Goyche Fuddle Pillge Khatir (GFPK) submitted a strongly worded memorandum to the Chief Town Planner (CTP), expressing serious concerns about recent land use zoning changes approved by the Town and Country Planning (TCP) Board. The letter addresses proposals approved under the Goa Town and Country Planning (Change of zone of land in the Regional Plan (RP) or the Outline Development Plan (ODP)) Rules, 2024.
GFPK’s primary concern is the lack of transparency in the zoning change process. Public notices provide only minimal information, such as survey numbers and village names, without crucial details like existing zones, proposed zones, property owners, and applicants. This lack of information hinders meaningful public participation in the planning process. The activists also highlight that minutes from the TCP Board’s 201st meeting, where these changes were approved, are not publicly available, with the most recent minutes on the TCP Board’s website dating back to August 2022.
The letter expresses worries about the potential environmental impact of these zoning changes. GFPK suggests that some affected properties may include eco-sensitive areas such as forests, steep slopes, and coastal regulation zones. They argue that changing the zoning of these areas may violate existing environmental protection laws and the TCP Act itself. The group calls for a comprehensive State-level Impact Assessment Report to be prepared before implementing any zoning changes, emphasizing the need for expert input to ensure alignment with sustainable development principles.
GFPK points out inconsistencies in the definition of eco-sensitive land between the amended TCP Act and existing RP and ODPs. They argue that this discrepancy could lead to confusion and potential misuse of land. The group also criticizes the TCP department for displaying outdated information on their website, particularly regarding eco-sensitive zones.
The letter advocates for the creation of a State Land Use Policy and a State Perspective Plan, arguing that without these foundational documents, land use decisions are made in a fragmented and inconsistent manner. GFPK recommends that the preparation of these documents be made mandatory before approving any further land use zone changes to ensure more transparent, consistent, and environmentally responsible decisions.
GFPK reminds the CTP of their extensive research and consultations on land use matters, referencing a comprehensive demand letter submitted to 21 government departments on February 21, 2024. The group expresses disappointment that no action was taken on their previous request, nor were they called for a hearing. They warned that the current land use zone changes across various villages could cause “irreversible land use planning damage” as outlined in their earlier letter.
The activist group demands immediate action, including a stay on the implementation of proposed zoning changes until more information is made public, release of all relevant documentation, and consultation with local authorities, particularly Gram Panchayats, on the proposed changes. They also call for updating the TCP department’s website with accurate and current information, conducting a comprehensive study of each affected property’s environmental sensitivity, and implementing public hearings at the Gram Sabha or municipal level before zoning changes are approved.
GFPK warns that if their concerns are not addressed promptly, they may pursue legal action.
