ISLAMABAD:
The Capital Development Authority (CDA) board has approved in principle a major zoning reform proposal aimed at expanding environmental protection around the Margalla Hills National Park (MHNP), including the acquisition of privately owned land and a ban on further construction in several adjacent areas.
As per the decision, the unacquired settlements of Shahdara, Talhar and Gokina, located on the periphery of the national park, will be incorporated into the newly proposed Zone-3A.
The CDA has also decided to acquire land in these areas and prohibit any further development or construction until the implementation of the revised zoning framework.
According to official documents available to The Express Pakinomist, the CDA board has approved in-principle amendments to the ICT Zoning Regulations, 1992, pertaining to Zone-3 and has constituted a six-member high-level committee to finalize recommendations. The committee’s proposal will subsequently be sent to the federal government for final approval.
Under the proposed restructuring, the area already notified as Margalla Hills National Park will continue to be designated as zone-3.
The documents further reveal that the land between the Margalla Hills National Park and the residential sectors extending north of Margalla Avenue up to Sector C-16 will be classified as Zone-1A.
The CDA will acquire private land within this area and develop housing and planning schemes in accordance with Zone-1 rules, integrating the newly acquired land with land already owned by the authority.
Existing villages and settlements will be regulated and contained within defined boundaries, while no further construction will be permitted on privately owned land.
Meanwhile, the area between Margalla Hills National Park and Murree Road/Srinagar Highway will be designated as Zone-4E. Under this category, private developers will be allowed to undertake development projects in accordance with CDA’s zoning regulations subject to prior approval from the authority.
The CDA is also empowered to initiate development schemes on land within the area that the authority has already acquired.
The newly proposed sub-zones and their geographic boundaries are identified on maps attached to the Board’s decision.
The CDA board has also approved the formation of a committee to prepare draft zoning regulations, including land use classifications, planning strategies, village details and population data for all newly created sub-zones.
The committee will be chaired by CDA Member Planning and Design and will include the member property, renowned architect Nayyar Ali Dada, a CDA board member, the Director General of Environment, the Director of Technical to the CDA Chairman and the Director Master Plan. The committee will also have the power to admit additional members as needed.
The committee has been directed to submit its recommendations to the CDA board within 15 days. After approval by the board, a summary will be forwarded through the Ministry of the Interior to the Federal Cabinet for consideration.
After the federal cabinet gives final approval, the CDA board will formally approve building regulations and development controls for the newly designated zones.
A senior CDA official, when contacted, confirmed that the board had formally taken the decision.
