‘Enough is enough’ echoes in Panaji as prominent Goans gather in major push to protect state’s hills, lakes, identity

It also called for an ordinance to be passed or a Bill to be introduced to amend the Land Revenue Code, “preventing sale of land to non-agriculturists and non-residents”.

“The amendment to provide that agricultural land, whether tenanted or non-tenanted, can only be transferred by way of lease, sale, if permissible in law, only for the purpose of agricultural activities and to those who are residing in Goa for the last 30 years,” the draft charter read.

It also demanded that until “adequate drinking water is made available, no permission for multi-storied buildings or projects for bungalows in gated communities or plots should be granted”.

The 10-point charter said that all development in the coastal state must be in terms of the Regional Plan/Outline Development Plans (ODP) as long as the Regional Plan/ODP is in force.

‘Passport to good governance’

Environmental lawyer Norma Alvares said the Regional Plan (RP) 2021 was prepared by eminent architects and planners who loved Goa, and that they were given a mandate by the state government to design a plan that would protect the state’s ecological assets, while allowing for development.

“That plan is still in force, and the most significant feature of RP 2021 is the demarcation of eco-sensitive zones. Zone-1 comprises the most sensitive ecological assets like steep hill slopes, sand dunes, forests and khazanas, and in eco-sensitive zone-1, no development is allowed. In eco-sensitive zone-2, some restricted development is permitted. Together, eco-sensitive zones 1 and 2… cover 82% of Goa,” Alvares said.

“This document, Regional Plan 2021, is our passport to good governance,” she said.

“Why are we agitated? We are here because since 2018, every effort is being made by whosoever is in power to throw this document out of the window… Not officially, [but] unofficially, by making changes to the Town and Country Planning Act, so that the Regional Plan… will be diluted and that protection will be removed. All these [amendments] are designed to enable wealthy individuals and real estate companies to put their footprints in Goa in our eco-sensitive areas,” Alvares said.

The charter of demands said that all development and cutting of hills should be stopped, and an immediate ordinance should be passed or a Bill be introduced to make the necessary amendments to the Act or relevant regulations, stopping all development and cutting of hills. The charter said that development in villages, towns and cities should not be allowed without the government carrying out a survey of the “carrying capacity” in the village. “No development should be allowed on/near natural water bodies, lakes, rivers, forests, hills, and seashores. All casinos on the Mandovi river should be removed forthwith. All structures in the CRZ (Coastal Regulation Zone), which are illegal, must be forthwith sealed, licenses cancelled and demolished after due process.”

‘Not a movement of any political party’

Justice Ferdino Rebello said he was deeply troubled by the ecological destruction in the state. “Goa is worth fighting for, and together, we will fight. What is the root cause of all this… corruption? It’s these two sections of the TCP Act, section 17(2) and section 39A. They must be repealed. We demand that no hills are allowed to be cut or developed,” Justice Rebello said.

Expressing concern over the changing demography in Goa’s towns and villages, he said, “I am not asking anyone here to take a bullet or pelt stones. I am asking everyone — let us work together. We must start organising… Let us first set up a structure in every village, every town. The core of leadership [for this movement] must be activists and NGOs, and not the office-bearers of political parties. This is not a movement of any particular party. I do not aspire to contest any election,” he said.