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The recent amendment to Goa's land use law, allowing the conversion of green zones into settlement zones, has triggered widespread controversy and put the BJP government in a precarious position. This controversial decision has ignited fierce opposition from environmentalists and opposition parties, who argue that it will result in the widespread destruction of Goa's delicate ecosystem.
The Indian Express reported that the land use law amendment benefits two Goa ministers, Vishwajit Rane and Aleixo Sequeira, as well as several local BJP and Congress leaders. Rane, who holds the crucial portfolios of TCP and Forests, and Sequeira, who oversees the Law portfolio, stand to gain significantly from the changes, raising concerns about potential conflicts of interest.
The government, however, maintains that the updated land use policy, which allows for the conversion of protected green zones into areas for development, is essential to address housing shortages and stimulate economic growth. Despite these justifications, the decision has faced substantial criticism. Environmentalists argue that the conversion of green zones poses a serious threat to Goa's fragile ecosystems, leading to the destruction of critical habitats and uncontrolled urban sprawl.
The conversion of green zones to settlements, allowing for residential and commercial construction, has raised alarm bells among the public. As a plot's value increases when rezoned to a settlement, concerns about land speculation and profiteering are rampant. Petitioners challenging the construction of farmhouses in Morjim, where land has been converted from orchard to settlement, highlight the dramatic rise in property values following such conversions.
The petitioners have brought to light instances of land with natural cover in Assagao being sold for Rs 60 crore after conversion to settlement, emphasizing the lucrative nature of these changes. They have urged the CTP to conduct an immediate inspection of properties in Morjim where land has been converted from orchard to settlement and report their findings to the court.
Urban planners and activists contend that the government's emphasis on 'development' has led to widespread clearing of land for construction, resulting in the destruction of hillslopes, fields, and natural cover, primarily benefiting real estate interests. The controversial land use amendment has sparked protests and legal challenges, with community groups and environmental activists demanding a reevaluation of the new land use policies.
Source: Why Goa's Change In Land Use Has Put BJP Govt In Troubled Waters?