The Delhi government has launched a crucial initiative to protect the city's natural conservation zones (NCZs) from encroachment and ensure their preservation. Geospatial Delhi Limited (GSDL) has provided district-wise maps of all 154 NCZs to the revenue department for physical verification, utilizing updated images from 2019. The exercise aims to identify any encroachments within these ecologically sensitive areas and prevent unauthorized development. To ensure comprehensive verification, records are being shared with the Delhi Development Authority (DDA) for areas falling under their jurisdiction. Once completed, GSDL will create color-coded maps for accurate record-keeping, marking a significant step toward safeguarding Delhi's precious natural habitats.
The Delhi government has initiated a "ground truthing" initiative in order to safeguard the city's natural conservation zones from encroachment or excessive development. The responsibility of physically verifying the designated areas as natural conservation zones has been assigned to the revenue department. There are currently 154 such areas in Delhi, and once the physical verification is finished, they will be incorporated into the sub-regional plan of 2021.
Natural conservation zones (NCZs) are ecologically fragile green regions that are home to diverse plant and animal life. These areas, including mountains, hills, rivers, and water bodies, are legally protected under central or state laws and are officially recognized as such in land records.
Presently, a significant portion of the Aravali range in the capital, sections along the Yamuna River, the city's ridge, and various areas in the southern, western, and northwestern parts of Delhi meet the criteria to be designated as NCZs. In these zones, construction activities are strictly restricted to a maximum of 0.5% of the total area, and even that requires prior approval from the central authorities.
Officials stated that the matter of conducting ground truthing for the 154 natural conservation zones (NCZs) in the city was deliberated upon during the sixth state-level steering committee meeting. The purpose of this meeting was to assess the progress of policies and proposals put forth by the NCR Planning Board. To expedite the process, Chief Secretary Naresh Kumar has issued instructions to the revenue and urban development departments.
According to officials, Geospatial Delhi Limited (GSDL), the organization responsible for maintaining and updating spatial data through mapping and surveys, has already provided the revenue department with district-wise maps of all natural conservation zones (NCZs) for the purpose of conducting physical verification of the land. Initially, records from 2005 were intended for use in the exercise. However, officials have been informed by GSDL that images from 2019 are now being utilized for the ground truthing process.
As certain portions of the land fall under the jurisdiction of the Delhi Development Authority (DDA), the revenue department has been instructed to share the records with them, as stated by an official. Upon completion of the exercise, GSDL will be responsible for creating color-coded maps specifically designed for record-keeping purposes.
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