Goa can truly become environmentally friendly if local authorities act decisively to restrict large-scale construction. The proposal to permit only villas and low-rise buildings”limited to ground plus one or ground plus two”is a welcome and forward-thinking step. It will help curb the unchecked growth of high-rise apartments that strain sewage systems, water resources, and the overall carrying capacity of villages. The suggestion put forth by MLA Michael Lobo deserves appreciation for its eco-friendly and practical vision. Recent efforts by the Arpora-Nagoa Village Panchayat to discourage large residential complexes and promote villas reflect a growing awareness of the need to preserve local aesthetics and environmental balance. Height restrictions must be strictly enforced. While current norms may allow G+2 structures, limiting new constructions to G+1 in sensitive areas like Arpora-Nagoa is both necessary and timely. However, village bodies alone lack the authority to enforce such limits. The Government of Goa must issue clear directives, empowering planning authorities to safeguard the state’s fragile ecosystem for future generations.
