In a bold move to preserve its unique coastal ecosystems, the Goa government has announced plans to establish a Khazan Land Board with sweeping author
In a bold move to preserve its unique coastal ecosystems, the Goa government has announced plans to establish a Khazan Land Board with sweeping authority to oversee the management and revitalization of the state’s historic khazan lands. These low-lying, saline floodplains, integral to Goa’s agricultural and cultural heritage, have faced decades of neglect and urban encroachment. The initiative, detailed in recent reports, aims to restore approximately 10,000 hectares of these ecologically vital lands while balancing sustainable development and local livelihoods.
Khazan lands, a hallmark of Goa’s coastal landscape, are mangrove-fringed estuarine areas engineered centuries ago by local communities for agriculture and aquaculture. These systems, often described as topo-hydro-engineered ecosystems, rely on intricate salinity control through protective bunds and sluice gates. Historically, they supported rice cultivation, fish farming, and salt production, sustaining communities through a delicate balance of nature and human ingenuity. However, urban sprawl, poor maintenance, and rising sea levels have degraded many of these lands, with some estimates suggesting a loss of nearly a third of the original 17,500 hectares over the past few decades, particularly around urban centers like Panaji.
The proposed Khazan Board will wield significant powers, overriding 21 existing land-use policies, including the Regional Plan and Outline Development Plans, though it will operate within the framework of the Goa Land Use Act of 1991. According to official statements, the board’s mandate includes conducting a comprehensive survey to classify khazan lands into four zones based on salinity and degradation levels. These zones—ranging from low-salinity areas suitable for vegetables and rice to highly degraded, mangrove-dominated regions—will guide tailored restoration strategies. The Department of Environment and Climate Change will serve as the board’s secretariat, with a legal and operational framework expected to be finalized within six months.
Environmental experts have hailed the initiative as a step toward climate-resilient urban planning. A 2024 workshop in Panaji, organized by ICLEI South Asia and supported by Azim Premji University, underscored the need for such measures. Stakeholders, including the Goa State Biodiversity Board, emphasized that khazan lands play a critical role in flood control, biodiversity preservation, and food security. By promoting crops like salt-tolerant rice and supporting traditional fishing, the board aims to revitalize local economies while preserving ecological balance. However, experts also caution that the board’s success hinges on effective enforcement and community involvement, given the history of illegal constructions on khazan lands.
A notable challenge stems from a recent ruling by the Goa Coastal Zone Management Authority (GCZMA), which declared that structures built on khazan lands before their designation as eco-sensitive zones on September 7, 2022, are legal. This non-retroactive policy, intended to protect existing developments, could complicate restoration efforts, as some khazan areas host unauthorized structures like restaurants and homes. Critics argue that this ruling may embolden further encroachments unless the Khazan Board enforces strict regulations on new constructions.
Local communities, particularly farmers and fishers, have expressed cautious optimism. The Tenants Association of Camarcasanacho Budh Camarkhazan in Mapusa, for instance, has previously raised concerns about illegal developments disrupting the delicate khazan ecosystem. The board’s focus on sustainable agriculture and ecosystem restoration could address these grievances by providing resources for repairing bunds, improving soil fertility, and modernizing sluice gates. Yet, some farmers worry that overriding existing plans might marginalize small-scale cultivators if commercial interests dominate the board’s agenda.
The initiative aligns with broader calls for nature-based solutions in coastal management. By integrating khazan conservation into urban planning, Goa aims to set a precedent for other coastal states grappling with climate change and urbanization. The board’s ability to navigate competing interests—between development, conservation, and community rights—will determine its success. As Goa embarks on this ambitious journey, the revival of its khazan lands could serve as a model for harmonizing tradition, ecology, and progress.
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