Sanguem, Goa’s largest and greenest taluka, now finds itself under siege. Land grabbers have begun targeting this verdant region, aiming to transform its emerald fields into settlements by brazenly exploiting Sections 17(2) and 39A of the Goa Town and Country Planning Act.
More than 1.38 lakh square metres—spanning 11 villages and the taluka town—are set to be converted under these controversial provisions.
Remarkably, just 12 proposals under Section 17(2) aim to convert a staggering 85,000 square metres.
On the other hand, Section 39A has attracted 30 applications from 20 individuals, collectively seeking to convert more than 53,000 square metres.
Source: Assembly Reports
Most of these conversions target paddy fields and fertile land in this rice-rich taluka. Orchards, natural cover, private forests, and even a crematorium in Neturlim village are not spared.
Sprawling across 886 square kilometres, Sanguem boasts 60 per cent dense forest—a vital part of the Western Ghats. About a quarter is dedicated to orchards and horticulture, while paddy fields and uncultivated barren land make up the rest.
Over 60 per cent of this vulnerable land lies within just four villages—Naiquinim, Rivona, Cotrali, and Neturli—totalling around 84,000 square metres of green terrain classified as private forest, orchard, natural cover, or cultivable land in the Regional Plan 2021.
Already, 2,238 square metres of paddy fields in Sanguem town have been converted into settlement zones under Section 39A, with the land belonging to Santosh Sonu Gaonkar and Nihal Suhas Parvatkar.
The remaining 22 applications are under the process of the Town and Country Planning department.
You may kindly click the following links to access all details of applications received for land conversions under sections 17(2) and 39A.
