Shrinkage in natural conservation zones in NCR: NCRPB to NGT

There is a shrinkage in Natural Conservation Zones (NCZs) like forests, water bodies and waste lands in the National Capital Region, the National Green Tribunal was today informed.
In an affidavit filed before the tribunal, National Capital Region Planning Board (NCRPB) submitted that the shrinkage is in Haryana, Rajasthan, Uttar Pradesh and NCT-Delhi.
"National Capital Region Planning Board (NCRPB) perused the satellite imageries and maps which were prepared and analysed by the National Remote Sensing Centre (NRSC) and after examining the same for all sub regions of NCR, came to the conclusion that there is shrinkage in NCZ," the affidavit said.

It has said that NCRPRB after perusing the variations shown in analysis done by NRSC immediately acted upon the observations and sent letters to participating states of Haryana, Rajasthan, Uttar Pradesh and NCT Delhi and sought response for such shrinkage.
"That the answering respondent was concerned with such shrinkage of NCZ and it issued notices on June 23 under section 29(2) of NCRPB Act 1985 to all the nodal officers (principal secretaries) of the NCR participating states but no reasons for variations of NCZ were received by any of the NCZ participating state governments," it said.
According to NCRPB, the shrinkage of NCZ in Haryana sub-region is 25.97 percent, 15.43 percent in NCT Delhi, 43.88 percent in Uttar Pradesh sub region and 11.18 percent in Rajasthan sub region.

The tribunal was hearing a petition filed by senior advocate Raj Panjwani, appearing for Legal Aid Committee National Green Tribunal Bar Association against the alarming rate of depletion of NCZs in NCR.