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 banning new construction in several adjacent areas.
According to 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 revised zoning framework is implemented.
According to official documents available to The Express PAkGazette, the CDA Board has approved in-principle amendments to the ICT Zoning Regulations, 1992, relating to Zone-3, and has constituted a six-member high-level committee to finalize the recommendations. The committee’s proposals will then be sent to the Federal Cabinet for final approval.
As per 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 situated between the Margalla Hills National Park and the residential sectors, extending north of Margalla Avenue 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 regulations, integrating the newly acquired land with areas already owned by the authority.
Existing villages and settlements will be regulated and contained within defined boundaries, while no additional construction will be permitted on privately owned land.
Meanwhile, the area located between Margalla Hills National Park and Murree Road/Srinagar Highway will be designated as Zone-4E. Under this category, private developers will be able to carry out development projects in accordance with the CDA zoning regulations, subject to prior approval from the authority.
The CDA will also be authorized to launch development plans on land within the area that has already been acquired by the authority.
The newly proposed subzones and their geographic boundaries have been identified on maps attached to the board’s decision.
The CDA Board 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 subzones.
The committee will be headed by CDA Member Planning and Design and will comprise of the State Member, renowned architect Nayyar Ali Dada, a member of the CDA Board, the Director General of Environment, the Technical Director of the CDA President and the Director of Master Plan. The committee will also have the authority to co-opt additional members as necessary.
The committee has been directed to submit its recommendations to the CDA Board within 15 days. Following board approval, a summary will be sent, via the Home Office, to the Federal Cabinet for consideration.
After final approval is granted by the federal cabinet, the CDA Board will formally approve building regulations and development controls for the newly designated zones.
When a senior CDA official was contacted, he confirmed that the board had formally taken the decision.
