Goa govt is considering increasing the fine for illegal hill cutting to up to Rs 1 crore
The Goa government has not authorized any hill cutting activities in the state over the past six months. Minister Vishwajit Rane of the Town and Country Planning Department announced plans to revise regulations to increase fines for illegal hill cutting and related activities. The proposed fines will range from Rs 1 lakh to Rs 1 crore, based on the size of the land plot. This initiative aims to prevent unauthorized activities in eco-sensitive areas, such as hill slopes. These measures are being taken to protect the natural landscape and promote sustainable development in the region.
According to Rane, following Chief Minister Pramod Sawant’s instructions during a recent press conference, it is imperative for local officials such as deputy collectors, mamlatdars, and talathis to take action against illegal activities. The Goa government has ramped up its efforts in response to the devastating landslides in Kerala’s Wayanad district.
Moving forward, Rane stated that new guidelines will be developed, which will include the mandatory submission of soil stabilization reports by engineers. Although the TCP department has not issued any new permits for hill cutting, Rane emphasized that it is the collective responsibility of all departments to prevent such illegal practices.
The minister who recently came under criticism for a real estate company constructing buildings on a slope of a hill in Reis Magos village near Panaji. He clarified that he did not grant permission for this construction. In the case of Reis Magos, the project’s conversion ‘sanad’ was obtained in 1994 and the change of zone was made in Regional Plan 2001. The initial approval was granted in 1995, with a revised approval given in 2008. The minister emphasized that incorrect information is being circulated about this matter.
