By Admin 
Before the assembly elections to be held next year, the Goa government has taken a big decision regarding environmental protection. The state government has declared more than 82 lakh square meter area as ‘No Development Zone’ (NDZ). On one hand, this step is being considered as an attempt to save the environment, while on the other hand, it is also being seen as a political and administrative strategy of the government before the elections.
The government has decided to bring hill slopes, plantation areas, paddy fields and environmentally sensitive areas under conservation ambit. Under the proposal approved by the Town and Country Planning (TCP) Board, strict controls will be imposed on construction activities in areas like Majorda, Gonsua, Querem and Mandrem. According to officials, the natural structure of these areas was being affected due to rapidly increasing real estate and tourism pressure.
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What do government figures say?
According to government data, about 65.31 lakh square meter of land in Querem area of Sattari taluka and about 6.44 lakh square meter of land in Mandrem area of Pernem have been included in the conservation area. Apart from this, the process of declaring about 6.72 crore square meter area along the banks of Mandvi and Zuari rivers as environmentally sensitive area has also started.
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Vishwajit Rane said that the aim of the government is to save the riverine ecosystem, green areas and agricultural land. He indicated that in the coming time, paddy fields and low-lying areas can also be declared NDZ on a large scale.
However, the opposition and some real estate groups are also raising questions regarding this decision. He says that before the elections, the government is trying to give a political message through environmental protection. At the same time, environmentalists are considering it as an important step towards saving the natural balance of Goa.