PM’s intervention sought over illegal land conversions

Panaji: Activists and NGOs, led by retired Justice Ferdino Rebello, petitioned Prime Minister Narendra Modi, alleging rampant and illegal conversion of hills, paddy fields and wetlands in violation of the state’s Regional Plan and environmental laws.

In representations also sent to President Droupadi Murmu, the group demanded repeal or amendment of key provisions of the Town and Country Planning Act that they claimed enabled large-scale rezoning and hill development.On Jan 6, hundreds of Goans assembled in Panaji to voice concerns about what they described as the rampant conversion of hills, paddy fields, orchard lands and wetlands, actions they claimed were in direct contravention of the Regional Plan 2021 notified under the TCP Act and pertinent central environmental legislation.Rebello made a 10-point charter outlining their demands to safeguard Goa’s ecology, protect traditional land uses, and enforce existing planning norms. The charter was later submitted to chief minister Pramod Sawant, along with annexures detailing perceived legal and administrative lapses.The petition asserted that successive amendments to the TCP Act, particularly Sections 17A, 17(2), 39A and the now-repealed Section 16B, enabled large-scale rezoning and hill development, often bypassing proper scientific oversight.

In a separate appeal to the President, the letter urged her to support the call for federal engagement, emphasising that unchecked construction and land conversion affect fundamental rights such as access to clean water and sustainable livelihoods.