the goan I network
PANAJI
Goencho Avaaz has written to the Chief Town Planner on February 22 asking that recommendations of the Town and Country Planning Board for change of zone be rejected as they violate the Regional Plan 2021 (RP21). The NGO alleged that proposals for zone change are in gross violations of the permissible land uses in RP 21, and makes a mockery of eco-sensitive zones marked in the RP.
Swapnil Sherlekar and Capt Viriato Fernandes, co-convenor of Goencho Avaaz, in their letter say that seven survey numbers - i.e. 208 in Dharbandora, 52 in Tivrem, 496 in Anjuna, 121 in Savoi-Verem, 44 in Curca, 02 in Naroa, and 230 in Cortalim were predominantly located in the “No Development Slope” (NDS), which as per RP21 was earmarked as ECO-1 zone.
Further, three survey numbers, i.e. survey number 50 in Siridao, 59 in Mandur and 496 in Anjuna were located in forest areas, four survey numbers i.e. 496 in Anjuna, 31 and 32 in Revora, and 354 in Latambarcem were in command areas under the Tillari Irrigation Project, which was mentioned in the official gazette dated 17 April 2015.
The letter also mentions the properties in Cavelossim that come under paddy fields and orchard areas as per RP21.
The proposals/requests made and accepted by the Town and Country Planning Board cannot be passed on as cartographical errors, states the letter, as these are a deliberate attempt to change the land use, which is in direct contradiction and violation to the planning process.
“All the proposals received for change of land settlement ...exceeding 20,000 square meters or more....should be mandatorily subjected to prior environmental clearance in accordance to the Ministry of Environment and Forests (MoEF) before making recommendations or granting approvals,” states the letter.
