Rampant urbanisation has led to shrinkage in Natural Conservation Zones such as forests, water bodies and wastelands in the National Capital Region, Union Urban Development Minister Venkaiah Naidu informed the Lok Sabha on Wednesday. In a written reply to Communist Party of India MP C.N. Jayadevan, Mr. Naidu informed that as per the analysis done in the 2012 by the National Capital Region Planning Board (NCRPB) in conjunction with National Remote Sensing Centre, using satellite imageries, there has been a decline in Natural Conservation Zones vis-à-vis those contained in the Regional Plan-2021, which was notified in 2005. “The decline in respect of National Capital Territory of Delhi has been 15.43 per cent,” Mr. Naidu said in his reply. The decline, however, has been less when compared to NCR areas falling under different States. While the decline has been 43.88 per cent in Uttar Pradesh, neighbouring Haryana witnessed a 25.97 per cent fall. In Rajasthan the decline in National Conservation Zones has been 11.18 percent. “The four participating states of the National Capital Region have been sent notices under Section 29(2) of NCRPB Act, 1985,” Mr. Naidu added.