PANAJI: As part of a comprehensive policy to control the degeneration of coastal ecology, Goa has decided to ban the conversion of khajan lands, the low-lying reclaimed lands traditionally used for agriculture.

The decision was taken at the meeting of the recently-reconstituted Goa Coastal Zones Management Authority, which met on Monday under the chairmanship of Chief Secretary J.P. Singh. A concerned Mr. Singh said the authority had decided to stringently deal with the menace of coastal violations. The authority would now meet at least once a month, he said.

Mr. Singh said the problem of violations was grave in tourist areas. "We would inquire into cases, go by the due process of law and wherever possible, recommend cases for demolition."

The Government might seek amendments in various legislations, including the Panchayati Raj Act and Land Revenue Code to introduce provisions such as "sealing of prima facie illegal constructions" to curb illegal constructions at the source.

The issue of coastal violations often dominated even Assembly proceedings in the past and members cutting across party lines had demanded strong measures to tackle the same.

The authority would look into strict implementation of coastal zone management plan. Things such as blatant destruction of mangroves, which could make coastal ecology more fragile, would be dealt with strictly, Mr. Singh said.

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