‘TDR will protect hills, slopes and compensate land owners’

the goan I networkrMARGAO rrAddressing a gathering after inaugurating the Landslide Risk Mitigation programme organised by the South Goa District Collectorate in association with the Geological Survey of India at the district Collectorate on Monday, the TCP Minister said the TDR concept will be included in the Regional Plan 2030 to safeguard the lush green hills and slopes and also compensate the land owners. “The TDR concept can protect the hills and slopes from denudation by the real estate lobby as the owner can transfer his development rights to the builders at designated construction zones. While the owner will be compensated with the TDR rights, the slopes, khazan lands, CRZ can be protected for posterity,” he said. r“Risks can be mitigated in two ways, through curative and preventive measures. The arrest of the accused involved in desecrations was a curative measure. The casino boat owner did not pay heed to the preventive advice of the Captain of Ports James Braganza and a disaster is staring at the environment,” Sardesai said. rExpressing happiness that the administration has recognised the land slide threats posed at several places, Sardesai said the TDR concept will put a stop to development along the slopes and hills, thereby minimising the risk of landslides. “The TDR concept has found acceptance in the western countries, which has helped the developed countries to strike a balance between development and protection of environment. The concept is being implemented in neigbhouring Maharashtra, but we need to tune the concept to suit the interest of Goa and its people,” he said.