India, June 9 -- Environmentalists, citizen groups and conservationists have welcomed the retention of the Natural Conservation Zone (NCZ), a key provision protecting ecologically sensitive areas like the Aravalli range, in the NCR Regional Plan 2041 - a blueprint for future-ready, sustainable urbanisation and multi-sectoral development.

According to the agenda for the June 16 meeting of the National Capital Region Planning Board (NCRPB), circulated last week, all existing statutes, notifications, court orders and environmental regulations applicable to NCZ areas will remain in force and must be strictly followed by authorities.

The issue stems from the Draft Regional Plan released in 2021, proposing replacing NCZ with "Natural Zone" - ...