Kamal Nath Okays Revised Regional Plan New Delhi: Days before the Lok Sabha poll dates are to be announced, the government is likely to notify the revised regional plan for NCR (2021) which allows tourism activities in ecologically sensitive zones and permits constructions in these areas beyond the current 0.5% cap — moves that environmentalists claim will be disastrous for green belts such as the Aravalis. Top sources said urban development minister Kamal Nath, who chairs the NCR Planning Board, has approved the minutes of the last board meeting in which it was decided to allow tourism activities in nature conservation zones and construction beyond the current limit, albeit with the permission of the Union environment ministry. Multiple sources confirmed the development. The board is likely to hold its next meeting in March and the plan is expected to be notified without delay. THE STORY SO FAR Haryana pushes for unlimited construction in green zones. Limit of 0.5% deleted in revised draft plan NCR committee partially turns down Haryana demand, allows tourism & construction beyond 0.5% with permission of MOEF At board meeting, Delhi LG seeks to ensure that tourism activities don’t lead to constructions beyond 0.5% Kamal Nath approves decision after LG’s point is put on record Green activists worry rule may be exploited Before giving his assent to a plan that permits increased construction in NCR’s fragile activity nature conservation zones (NCZ), urban development minister Kamal Nath had sent back the minutes of the meeting to NCR Planning Board secretariat, asking for all views expressed by members, sources said. Delhi LG Najeeb Jung had raised questions over increasing the limit on constructions in such zones, saying the move was diluting the principle of protection of these sensitive ecological zones. He had also asked his views to be recorded. “His views have now been recorded. The board’s decision will be out by March 7. We feel getting permission for construction beyond 0.5% will be difficult as authorities can’t clear such proposals easily,” said a government official. The changes made in the plan are crucial, say green activists. The plan prepared in 2005 said only regional recreational activities — parks, wildlife sanctuaries etc — were allowed in NCZs with a limit of construction not exceeding 0.5% of land and that too with the permission of competent authorities. The new provision proposes that regional recreational activities be allowed with a limit on construction of 0.5%, except with the approval of the competent authorities under forest and environment laws. With the word ‘except’ being introduced, green activists feel influential players can get the required permissions, particularly when a state government pushes for it. In Haryana, each inch of forest, hill and even waterbodies can be bought or sold by individuals as these areas have historically been common land. Haryana had initially pushed for doing away with the construction limit in NCZs. After objections from activists and from NCRPB members, the proposal was killed.