MAPUSA
In a significant move to protect and revive khazan land in Goa, Chief Minister Pramod Sawant announced on Tuesday that the government is finalising a comprehensive khazan plan.
This initiative aims to restore cultivation in these historically significant lands, which have remained fallow for years. Addressing the Goa Legislative Assembly, Sawant emphasised the government's commitment to reviving khazan land and proposed the introduction of a contractual farming bill to further boost agriculture in the State.
“We want khazan land to be revived and for people to be able to cultivate it. This will require the collective efforts of MLAs, ZPs, and sarpanchas. Simply reviving the land is not enough; if it is not cultivated, mangroves will encroach upon it,” Sawant stated.
The Chief Minister’s remarks came in response to a concern raised by Mayem MLA Premendra Shet regarding the thick cover of mangroves on fallow khazan land. Shet highlighted the necessity of restoring these fields for paddy cultivation.
Sawant assured that the government will prioritize repairing bunds where cultivation is currently underway, with further opportunities given to those willing to revive their land. “There are large tracts of khazan land lying fallow with neither pisciculture nor agriculture being practised. It is high time we develop a comprehensive policy,” Sawant said.
He announced that the agriculture, water resources, and revenue departments will collaborate to finalize the khazan plan and invited inputs from legislators. During the session, MLAs from various parties underscored the urgency of protecting and reviving khazan land.
Fatorda MLA Vijai Sardesai stressed that khazan land is the most threatened ecosystem in the state, citing that out of 18,000 square meters, approximately 4,000 square meters have been destroyed. Sardesai questioned how khazan land could be converted, referring to specific cases in St Cruz. He also said that a private group was eyeing fallow khazan land in St Estevam ostensibly to revive farming.
Curchorem MLA Niles Cabral called for a holistic approach to protect and revive farming in khazan land, noting that unmaintained bunds allow saline water to flood the fields, leading to mangrove growth. Curtorim MLA Aleixo Reginald Lourence emphasized the need to focus on repairing bunds in cultivated areas. Benaulim MLA Venzy Viegas highlighted the challenges posed by the thick cover of mangroves, questioning the possibility of replanting mangroves elsewhere.
Revenue Minister Anatasio (Babush) Monserrate assured that the government, through the Goa Coastal Zone Management Authority (GCZMA), is exploring viable plans to save khazan land. He mentioned ongoing discussions with the Mangrove Society of India to identify mangrove varieties encroaching on khazan lands.
