Activists have condemned the 17(2) amendment to the Town and Country Planning Act (TCP Act), saying it will make the act redundant and open the floodgates for development in Goa.
The amendment allows the government to change the land use of any area, even if it is protected under the Regional Plan. This means that developers will be able to build large projects in areas that were previously designated for agriculture, forests, or other uses.
Claude Alvares, an environmental activist, said that the amendment "makes a mockery of the TCP Act" and "will destroy Goa's planning process." He said that the amendment will allow developers to "deconstruct the Regional Plan" and "build whatever they want, wherever they want."
Other activists have also expressed concern about the amendment. They say that it will lead to the destruction of Goa's environment and the displacement of local communities. They are calling on the government to withdraw the amendment.
The government has defended the amendment, saying that it is necessary to correct errors in the Regional Plan. However, critics say that the amendment is a thinly veiled attempt to allow more development in Goa.
The 17(2) amendment is just the latest in a series of moves by the government to open up Goa for development. In recent years, the government has relaxed zoning regulations, allowed for the construction of high-rise buildings, and approved large projects in sensitive areas.
Activists say that these moves are destroying Goa's unique environment and culture. They are calling on the government to stop the destruction and protect Goa's future.
Via: Goemkarponn
Adv Claude Alvares | Environmental Activist
Goa
