Activists urge Goa officials to pause zone changes in Ella-Old Goa until master plan is ready

Activists in Goa are calling for a halt to zone changes in the Ella-Old Goa area until a master plan is created. They submitted suggestions to the town planning department, citing a recent notification proposing the conversion of 1.6 lakh square meters of land. The activists claim the notification violates local regulations and the 73rd Constitutional Amendment. They emphasize that the land is an orchard near forests and is partially within a buffer zone of a heritage site. The group, which includes political activist Pratima Coutinho, has gathered over 1,200 signatures in support of their request. They urge officials to prioritize the development of a comprehensive master plan before approving any further zone changes.