Goa Implements Robust Measures for Environmental Conservation

Goa Chief Minister Pramod Sawant announced several initiatives to protect the state's natural resources, particularly land and biodiversity. Responding to land conversion allegations, Sawant outlined legislative and financial measures to safeguard agricultural land and prevent misuse. Additional actions include adjusting land base rates and conserving biodiversity heritage sites and wetlands.

Goa Chief Minister Pramod Sawant on Wednesday stated that his administration has enacted various proactive measures to conserve the state's natural resources, especially its land and biodiversity.

In a post on X, Sawant detailed these measures, which appear to be a response to allegations of land conversions against his government.

Among the initiatives, Sawant highlighted the Restriction on Transfer of Agricultural Land Act to protect Goa's farmland from non-agricultural use. Amendments to the Goa Land Revenue Code and increased land conversion charges aim to discourage conversions and maintain green cover. The government has also adjusted base rates in Bardez and Pernem talukas and constituted a committee to address landslides. Further, the Goa Biodiversity Board has issued notifications for biodiversity heritage site protection and wetland conservation.

(With inputs from agencies.)