Revised NCR norms restrict tourism in Green zones

Revised norms of NCR Planning Board on 14 May 2014 restricted tourism in green zones in NCR. Tourism activities won't be allowed in the Natural Conservation Zones (NCZs) in NCR.

The board also decided that the sacred Mangar Bani and a 500-metre buffer radius around it will be earmarked as a no-construction zone.

Earlier, the board members agreed to limit construction in NCZs such as Aravalis, riverbeds and major water bodies. It was also decided that only regional recreation activities will be permitted with no construction exceeding 0.5% of the area with the prior permission from competent authorities.

Delhi government and Union Ministry of Environment and Forest (MoEF) had objected to Haryana's proposal to allow more construction in these sensitive zones. MoEF mentioned that both the revised regional plan and Haryana sub-regional plan should not be finalized till mapping of forest areas by members was completed.

According to the MoEF, the geo-referenced maps of Haryana's 19 districts were incomplete and not compatible to the directions of Supreme Court.