One of the major changes introduced in the amended Dehradun master plan 2005-25 released on Thursday is that the land use in 23 clusters comprising 257 hectares has been changed from agriculture to residential.
Though this move has been welcomed as it will enable the residents to get approval for constructing their homes in these areas, observers point out that this might also pave the way for the transformation of few remaining open spaces in suburban Dehradun into areas marred by unplanned constructions and lack of greenery.
Even Government officials and public representatives acknowledge that unplanned urbanisation has damaged the environment of the once clean and green Doon.
However, little has been done by the authorities to ensure that constructions are carried out in a planned way.
This is one of the major reasons for civic anomalies like traffic congestion, water logging and thinning out of greenery.
A couple of years ago, the then Dehradun divisional forest officer had submitted a proposed green master plan to the Mussoorie Dehradun Development Authority for facilitating work on planned greenery in the city.
Old residents of the city rue that the once peaceful and green city is transforming into a noisy and congested town due to the unplanned urbanisation being facilitated by the authorities. While the change in land use of 23 areas from agriculture to residential will prove beneficial to home owners wanting to legalise their residences, skeptics warn that this will also pave the way for expansion of the unplanned urbanisation into the comparatively open and greener areas of the city.