The document summarizes an upcoming workshop on environmental safeguards in the Regional Plan 2021 for the National Capital Region of India. The workshop will bring together experts to discuss pressures on the region's ecological assets from urban development and identify opportunities to safeguard the environment in the updated plan. The Regional Plan provides statutory planning and zoning control to promote balanced growth while avoiding haphazard development and conserving areas like the Aravalli ranges and Yamuna river floodplains. The workshop aims to review environmental protections and ensure sustainable development within the region's carrying capacity.

1. Environmental Safeguards in the Regional Plan 2021
31st October, 2013.
9:00 am to 1:30 pm
At INTACH
71 Lodhi Estate, New Delhi 110003
Hosted by INTACH1 & PEACE2
The National Capital Region Planning Board (NCRPB) is revising the Regional Plan 2021. The
purpose of this workshop is to bring together experts to discuss the changing environmental context
and identify key opportunities for safeguarding and improving the environment in the NCR.
The rapid pace of urban development in the NCR has placed unprecedented pressures on the
strategic ecological assets of the NCR – especially the Aravalli ranges and river beds. Thus from a
point of view of the precautionary principle, as well as principles of intergenerational equity and
sustainable development, there is a need to review the current status of environmental assets in
the NCR and identify safeguards that are provided to balance environment with development.
Without adequate safeguards there is a threat to the quality of life with adverse impacts on
groundwater recharge capacity and drinking water security, wildlife habitat and biodiversity, and
reduced natural adaptive capacity of the NCR region to climate change impacts.
The Regional Plan 2021 provides the statutory basis for planning and zoning in the NCR, under the
NCRPB Act of 1985. The objective of the Regional Plan is to control land-uses, avoid haphazard
development and promote balanced growth and development in the NCR. For example, Chapter IV,
Section 10, sub-section 2, of the NCRPB, 1985, states that,
“The Regional Plan shall indicate the manner in which the land in the National Capital Region shall
be used, whether by carrying out development thereon or by conservation or otherwise”
(emphasis added).
In sum, the Regional Plan is an important instrument for conservation, through control of landuse
and determining the zoning and policy proposals for ensuring conservation of eco-sensitive areas
such as the Aravalli ranges, Yamuna and other river flood plains, allocating land for forests etc, and
ensuring that urban development is sustainable and in line with the carrying capacity of the region.
1
2
Indian National Trust for Art and Cultural Heritage
PEACE Institute Charitable Trust

2. Environmental Safeguards in the Regional Plan 2021
October 31, 2013.
9:00 am to 1:30 pm
At INTACH
71, Lodhi Estate, New Delhi 110003
Hosted by INTACH3 & PEACE4
9:00am Tea & Registration
9:30 Introduction
9:35 Introductory comments
9: 45
10:30
10:45
11: 00
11:30
12:00
12:30
1:30
3
4
Manu Bhatnagar, INTACH
NCRPB representative
MOEF representative
(tbc)
(tbc)
Environmental elements in regional planning Asesh Maitra, former Director, SPA
Regional biodiversity
Meenakshi Dhote, SPA
Drinking water security in the near NCR
Manoj Mishra, PEACE
Env. Safeguards in the Regional Plan 2021
Chetan Agarwal
Discussion
Panel Discussion
PSN Rao
School of Planning and Architecture (SPA)
Kanchan Chopra
Former Director, Institute of Economic Growth
Pradip Krishen
Author, Trees of Delhi
Suresh Rohila
CSE
Advisor, Planning Commission
(tbc)
Plenary Session and next steps
Lunch
Indian National Trust for Art and Cultural Heritage
PEACE Institute Charitable Trust