Goa Bachao Abhiyan C/o 77, Defence Colony, Alto Porvorim-Goa
[email protected] www.savegoa.com Phone: 8888707083 GBA/2012/9 16 March, 2012 To, The Chief Minister, Attention: Shri Manohar Parrikar Government of Goa, Assembly Complex, Penha Da Franca, Goa *Sub: Critical issues on the revisiting and error correction of Regional Plan 2021 * Dear Shri Parrikar, The GBA held its meeting on 14th March 2012 to discuss the issue of future action on the Regional Plan 2021. GBA reiterated its position that the Regional Plan 2021 is not acceptable in its present form and that it needs rectification of errors, deletions of insertions not mandated in the DRP 2021 that was circulated to the Village Panchayats in October, 2008, especially with regard to Eco Zones. GBA also reiterates its demand of "ONE GOA, ONE PLAN" with one Plan for entire Goa, merging all the O.D.P areas too in the Regional Plan. During the preparation of the Regional Plan 2021, people’s participation and inputs were sought twice, once during its draft stage from October 2008 to September, 2009 and once again when corrections to the notified Final RP 2021 were invited between November and December 2011. The inputs are documented. While the best method for re-visitation may be advised by the law department, the people wish that their efforts at participation over the last five years, through their Panchayats and Village Level Committees be recognized. The last five years saw a number of agitations against mega projects and rampant destruction of eco-zones due to the vague nature of the Regional Plan 2001, which was in force. Prepared in 1987, this plan had no clear boundaries and survey numbers in its land use plan, permitted high FAR and did not have policies on protection of Eco-Zones. If the method of correction chosen by the Government brings into force the Regional Plan 2001, it amounts to losing much what the people have fought for and opens the doors for chaos and corruption. The method used to revisit the Regional Plan must at all costs keep what was good in the Regional Plan 2021, namely the policy advocating lower FARs in villages and the strict protection of Eco-Zones, demarcating each plot with survey numbers on the land use map for clarity. We urge you to quickly and without delay, draw up guidelines for protection of Eco Zones and sustainable development, for processing inputs from the people, and as per your party manifesto, definitively include the method of people’s participation for future planning into State Planning Acts. The onus of a better plan lies with your Government. We look forward to a transparent and legally mandated method for land use planning and zone changes for the present and in the future. Thanking you, Yours sincerely, Dr. Sabina Martins Reboni Saha Convenor Secretary 9422438361 9822131031 -- Tel: +91-9767701245 Visit www.savegoa.com -- Tel: +91-9767701245 Visit www.savegoa.com -- Tel: +91-9767701245 Visit www.savegoa.com --------------------------------------------------------------------------- Protect Goa's natural beauty Support Goa's first Tiger Reserve Sign the petition at: http://www.goanet.org/petition/petition.php ---------------------------------------------------------------------------
