NCR plan keeps Aravali safeguards after long debate

The Regional Plan 2041 for the National Capital Region (NCR) is set to retain the “Natural Conservation Zone” (NCZ), a key regulatory safeguard for protecting the Aravali ecosystem and other environmentally sensitive areas, according to the agenda circulated for the upcoming NCR Planning Board (NCRPB) meeting scheduled for June 16, as reported by The Times of India.

The decision follows nearly five years of deliberations, including proposals from Haryana to replace the NCZ classification with a broader “Natural Zone” and to substitute references to the Aravali with the generic term “hills”. However, the circulated agenda for the revised plan states that the Conservation Zone framework under RP-2021 will continue in RP-2041.

The agenda further notes that all existing statutes, rules, notifications, and judicial orders issued by the Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change (MoEF&CC), central ministries, and courts will remain applicable to NCZ areas across NCR constituents.


Under the existing framework, NCZ areas include environmentally sensitive regions such as the Aravali ridge extension, forests, rivers, tributaries, lakes, and other water bodies. The regulations impose strict restrictions on non-forest activities, permitting only limited development—up to 0.5% of the area for regional recreational purposes, subject to central approval.

The proposal to dilute NCZ provisions in the earlier draft Regional Plan 2041 (released in December 2021) had drawn significant opposition, with the majority of over 4,500 objections and suggestions received against the change. Subsequently, directions from the Prime Minister’s Office and a Group of Ministers led by Union Home Minister Amit Shah asked the housing and urban affairs ministry to retain the NCZ framework.

While the NCZ provision is being retained, the agenda highlights that states will be responsible for identifying and delineating the extent of natural features under the zone using ground-truthing and revenue records. This has raised concerns among experts, who have flagged delays in satellite-based mapping and land-use classification.

The agenda also explores the use of non-financial incentives, including Special Development Rights and Transferable Development Rights (TDR), to encourage conservation efforts by landowners within NCZ areas.

In parallel, the draft plan projects NCR’s population to rise to 10.86 crore by 2031 and 14.73 crore by 2041, up from 7.87 crore in 2021, with Delhi’s share of the regional population expected to decline over the period.

On infrastructure, the plan recommends accelerating key Regional Rapid Transit System (RRTS) corridors, including Ghaziabad–Noida International Airport (Jewar), Gurugram–Faridabad–Noida–Greater Noida, and Delhi–Surajpur routes, alongside proposed Orbital Rail Corridors aimed at improving regional connectivity by 2030.