Decline in natural conservation zones in NCR: Government

NEW DELHI: Natural conservation zones (NCZs) like forests, water bodies and waste lands have declined in the National Capital Region, Lok Sabha was informed today.

As per the analysis done in 2012 by National Capital Region Planning Board (NCRPB) in conjunction with National Remote Sensing Centre, using satellite imageries, there has been a decline in NCZs vis-à-vis those contained in the Regional Plan-2021, notified in 2005, Urban Development Minister M Venkaiah Naidu said in a written reply.

Naidu maintained that the said decline in respect of NCR of Delhi has been 15.43 per cent while it has been 43.88 per cent in case of Uttar Pradesh, 25.97 per cent in case of Haryana and 11.18 per cent in respect of Rajasthan.

The four participating states of NCR have been sent notices under Section 29(2) of NCRPB Act, 1985, he said.

Naidu said people living in slum areas of Delhi have declined by 2,44,365 between 2001 and 2011.

As per the information furnished by the minister, Delhi ranks ninth among 35 states and Union territories with a slum population of 17,85,390 as per 2011 Census as against 20,29,755 in 2001.

He said 632 shops in shopping complexes constructed by the Delhi Development Authority (DDA) remain unsold for a period ranging from three to twenty years.

These included 298 in General Category (East Zone-111, South Zone-47, West Zone-140) which remained vacant for 15-20 years.

Another 111 shops/stalls in General Category and 223 in Reserved Category are vacant since 2011-12.

Naidu informed the House that henceforth, shops under General Category will be disposed of by DDA through e-auctioning to ensure transparency and wider public response.