Panaji: The town and country planning (TCP) department has approved the conversion of 92,719 sqm of land to settlement zone across Goa through 17 applications under Section 39A of the Town and Country Planning Act, while simultaneously notifying 62.6 lakh sqm across three villages in Salcete as a no-development zone.The settlement-zone conversions involve modifications to the Regional Plan for Goa 2021 for the notified survey numbers.The largest conversion covers 50,401 sqm of orchard land at Mandrem, followed by 25,000 sqm of cultivable land within an irrigation command area at Tivim. Three proposals in Morjim account for another 13,872 sqm of orchard land.Other approved conversions cover plots in Corlim, Agonda, Sao Jose de Areal, Aldona, Bordem, Siolim, Virnora, Pernem, Reis Magos and Corgao.Two proposals in Reis Magos involve 562 sqm of land classified as orchard with a no-development slope. These were approved on the grounds that the plots fall within the permissible gradient.The approvals, however, remain subject to the outcome of two public interest litigations pending before Bombay high court.In a separate notification under Section 39A, the department has designated 62.6 lakh sqm across Majorda, Talaulim and Loutolim in Salcete as a no-development zone, also modifying the Regional Plan for Goa 2021.Of the total area, 28.4 lakh sqm is in Talaulim, 17.6 lakh sqm in Majorda and 16.6 lakh sqm in Loutolim.The notified land includes paddy fields, irrigation command areas, mangroves, khazan lands, water bodies, salt pans and orchards, along with some portions previously classified as settlement.
