Goa, May 30 -- In a significant move aimed at environmental conservation, the Town and Country Planning (TCP) Board has decided to classify the area surrounding the Zuari Industrial Estate in Sancoale as a No Development Zone (NDZ).

TCP Minister Vishwajit Rane said the decision was taken following the Supreme Court's stay on an earlier recommendation that sought to remove the area's private forest classification.

The issue pertains to around 554 survey numbers in Sancoale, covering nearly 1.5 crore square metres of land. According to Rane, the Forest Department has already filed an affidavit before the Supreme Court affirming that the area will continue to be treated as private forest.

"The TCP Board has resolved to designate the area ...