In Goa, developers are grabbing eco-sensitive hilly land – ‘legally’

What happened: KGL Realtors bought 20,000 square metres of hill land in Salvador Do Mundo, Goa, described in the sale deed as barren and waste land, though the regional plan zones it as eco-sensitive Natural Cover. Key numbers: 20,000 square metres bought; 4,000 square metres classed as Natural Cover with No Development Slopes; Regional Plan 2021 published in 2010 marked nearly 82% of the state Why it matters: Goa's regional plan covers the entire state under the Town and Country Planning Act, unlike most states where such acts focus only on urban areas, so zoning rules apply to this land.

KGL Realtors bought 20,000 square metres of hill land in Salvador Do Mundo, Goa, described in the sale deed as barren and waste land, though the regional plan zones it as eco-sensitive Natural Cover.

Goa's regional plan covers the entire state under the Town and Country Planning Act, unlike most states where such acts focus only on urban areas, so zoning rules apply to this land.