Only 10 pc of Green Belt is green

Only 10 pc of Green Belt is green
Deccan Herald

According to the new CDP, urbanisation of Bangalore will require 350 sq kms of land in the next 15 years.

The colour of the much-talked about “Green Belt” around Bangalore is no longer green. It is in fact, brown and in some patches grey, if the existing Comprehensive Development Plan (CDP) is any thing to go by.

Statistics of the BDA has revealed that of the 742 sq kms of Green Belt (in existing CDP drawn 10 years ago), only 10 per cent is actual green cover. The rest is either agricultural land or land where developmental activities have already taken place to a large extent. Interestingly, most of the developmental activities have taken place on 248 sq kms (24,000 acres of Green Belt), which the Government has proposed to open up for urbanisation. “There are roads, buildings and tiny villages and it was found appropriate to take this chunk out of the Green Belt area”, a Town Planning member told Deccan Herald.

But BDA sources said that much of the 248 sq kms land is has already ben bought by private land developers for layout formation. Nearly 210 sq kms of the 248 sq kms is located between Bellary Road and Hosur Road. This means that almost all future development, including the BDA’s, will be done on the land located in this area.

As per the BDA Act, no development activities are allowed in Green Belt, and it should remain vacant, if not covered by greenery. Though the revised CDP has proposed to open up a part of Green Belt, it is silent on the ownership of these lands. BDA does not have any information on how much of 248 sq kms area is owned by the Government and how much by private individuals. It does not have any clue on violation and encroachments. “So, it is not known on what basis the decision was taken to take this land out of Green Belt,” BDA sources pointed out.

The figures churned out for “15-year Master Plan” in the new CDP do not match the actual requirement. It is estimated that Bangalore needs 350 sq kms of land for the next 15 years and nearly 180 sq kms of undeveloped and partially-developed land within Green Belt. The actual requirement is around 170 sq kms, against 248 sq kms that is proposed to be taken out of Green Belt, BDA sources said. However, BDA officials were not available for comments.



FOR A CAUSE

Green Belt boundaries helps check unrestricted sprawl of concrete structures. In the case of Bangalore, the Green Belt is shrinking with the government again planning to open up a part of th Green Belt for urbanisation. Deccan Herald under its - Guard Your Green Wealth - will be publishing articles on the Green Belt environment.

BDA effort

The BDA will soon put on display the revised CDP maps, calling for objections from public. It is also planning to distribute special forms for citizens to write their comments at the venue, BDA officials said.