Team Herald
PANJIM: Pointing to the ongoing outcry over rampant hill cuttings across the State, Chief Minister Pramod Sawant stated that his government has constituted a committee to study landslides and propose restoration measures even as a series of measures have been introduced to ensure the protection and sustainable management of these critical assets.
Sawant said that conversion charges have been increased to discourage the conversion of all land types to maintain green cover, charges for changing land use have been increased from Rs 200 to Rs 1,000 per square metre. However, the previous rates have been retained for land parcels up to 500 square metres, providing relief to the general public.
Sawant said that in an effort to curb land misuse, base rates for land in Bardez and Pernem Talukas have been increased by 2.6 times, while the older rates will continue to apply for land parcels under 500 square metres, ensuring that common men are not unduly burdened.
Restriction on transfer of Agricultural land has been enacted to safeguard Goa’s agricultural land, he said adding that this legislation aims to prevent misuse and restrict non-agricultural activities on farmland. Also amendment to Section 32 of the Goa Land Revenue Code has reinforced the Goa Restriction on Transfer of Agricultural Land Act, 2023, in order to prevent agricultural land from being repurposed for non-agricultural uses, with a focus on protecting farmland and promote cultivation, he added.
The government is aware of the importance of preserving the State’s natural resources, particularly its land resources and biodiversity. With these initiatives we will continue to bring in measures to ensure the preservation of Goa’s natural heritage for future generations, Sawant said.