Goa, July 17 -- Town and Country Planning Minister Vishwajit Rane has said the Goa government is strengthening legal safeguards to permanently protect the state's ecologically sensitive areas through Section 39A of the Goa Town and Country Planning Act.

Rane said the move will ensure permanent protection for Wagheri Hill and several other environmentally vulnerable locations across the state. He added that more eco-sensitive areas along the Mandovi and Zuari river systems will also be notified by the Town and Country Planning Department based on recommendations from the Forest Department.

According to the minister, the Forest Department has already identified these regions as ecologically vulnerable, and both departments will work in co...