"We need protection for Western Ghats...But the acceptance of recommendations in the report amounts to locking of 50-60 per cent of land available in Goa," Chief Minister Manohar Parrikar told the Legislative Assembly last night.
Replying to questions raised during the demands for grants, Parrikar hinted that the state might not okay the report.
The Western Ghat Ecology Expert panel (WGEEP) formed by Union Ministry of Environment and Forest (MoEF) has prepared a detailed report on the conservation of Western Ghat hill ranges, which also run through Goa.
The total land mass of Goa is 3,702 sq kms of which 1,380 sq kms is the government forest land, he said.
"Besides this there is a chunk of private forest. We also have several stretches of land which cannot be used because of it being under the coastal regulation zone (CRZ)," Parrikar told the assembly.
"If we consider all these aspects then there will be no land left for the utilisation," the Chief Minister added.
