Goa Daily

  In a significant move aimed at reinforcing environmental protection and transparency, the Goa Forest Department , under the leadership of Minister Vishwajit Rane , has amended the Goa Preservation of Trees Act, 1984 . The amendment mandates that the Tree Officer must verify land ownership and obtain No Objection Certificates (NOCs) from all co-owners before granting permission to fell, cut, remove, or dispose of trees under Section 9 of the Act . The reform addresses long-standing concerns over misuse of tree-felling permissions and aims to ensure that environmental decisions are taken with due diligence and accountability. Mandatory Ownership Verification to Prevent Misuse One of the key provisions introduced through the amendment is compulsory verification of land ownership. Earlier, permissions were often issued based on limited documentation, leading to disputes and allegations of irregularities. The new rule ensures that only rightful landholders, with the consent of al...