In a 1st, Parra panchayat creates policy to protect it from mega projects

Panaji: Amid protests and agitations in Goa to save villages from unplanned development by people from outside the state, Parra became the first of Goa’s 191 panchayats to prepare a policy to protect the village from overdevelopment and unchecked mega-projects.The panchayat evolved the policy after its members received several complaints regarding development approvals for projects within its jurisdiction, and the cumulative impact of these projects on the built and natural environment (carrying capacity) of the village. It said that the policy aims to preserve the character of the village as inherited by the present generation in the interest of future generations.The panchayat considers the issuance of construction licences after receiving technical clearance orders from the town and country planning department.The panchayat states that the aim of the policy is to ensure the just use of resources and balance development and the needs of the existing population of the village before permitting any new developments that would need to use the same resources.The Parra panchayat has VP-II status, with permissible coverage of 40 and FAR of 60 as per The Goa Land Development and Building Construction Regulations, 2010.

"The same is not a right. The right is bounded by social and environmental considerations, including living spaces for future generations of local residents, which the panchayat must consider in the best interests of the village," the policy stated.Sarpanch Daniel Lobo said that Parra is the first panchayat to prepare such a policy and place it before govt with input from the brightest minds in Goa from the fields of law, architecture, and environment."Let’s protect our heritage and culture. This is what we are elected for," he said.The policy covers different aspects identified as major issues or concerns by the panchayat body and villagers. It applies in cases where there is a threat of significant or considerable extra or excess load on the existing village infrastructure. Specific points have been discussed by the panchayat with due input from technical experts."New developmental projects must be in harmony with the overall scale and existing density of the village, avoiding skewed development. Hence, building height is to be restricted to two storeys (ground+1) only, with a 9m building height (ground level to ridge top). Some of the new projects comprise buildings of two storeys with heights exceeding the natural vegetation," the policy states."At the village level, conservation of all water bodies, command areas, and heritage trees will be an important consideration while reviewing the plans.

No changing of zones by the town and country planning department, or change of height or FAR, will be accepted without the prior consent of the panchayat," the policy states.The policy also states that multi-dwelling apartment projects that burden the village infrastructure are not to be approved. Any building that involves the construction of premises with several apartments in one building will be considered a multi-dwelling unit.The policy also aims to "identify and maintain significant heritage zones and heritage homes in the village, like the maddani road and Portuguese-era houses in different wards of Parra, especially in Bokyachi Aradi and Gama Vaddo."Lobo said that the policy has been approved and adopted by the gram sabha, and a copy submitted to chief minister Pramod Sawant.