Every other real estate project these days carries the ‘green’ tag in its name. Yet, many have not complied with environmental rules and were constructed without the necessary clearances
An environmentally insensitive real estate sector, led by avaricious builders, and encouraged by ignorant buyers, ready to invest their hard-earned money on projects with inadequate green clearances, has become the norm. The end result is a harassed environment and a fragile urban ecology that is on its back foot. How real estate companies reach project-completion stage, in spite of violation of environmental norms, is an enduring mystery.
In addition, the buyers too are kept in the dark, regarding the lack of green approvals that are necessary for the project completion certificate. This translates into financial loss and mental harassment for the buyer, as he or she is unable to take possession of the property without the completion certificate.
In Uttar Pradesh, the pollution control board has come down heavily on construction in the eco-sensitive area of the Okhla Bird Sanctuary. This has come as a blow to both real estate developers and buyers of the affected projects. The pollution control board’s decision is based on an order from the National Green Tribunal which has ruled that civic authorities must cancel the No Objection Certificates of those projects, which were not cleared by the National Board of Wildlife before commencement of construction work.
With nearly 54 real estate projects, in various stages of construction, in the said notified eco-sensitive area, the NGT has done well to curb the menace of construction encroaching on wildlife zones. Efforts are still on to end the impasse, but the question persists as to why realty projects were allowed to begin construction without the necessary green clearances in the first place. This is apt example of existing laws not being efficiently enforced by the authorities in order to prevent environmental loss.
In general, the authorities have a casual approach towards safeguarding environmental interests and this was reflected in the work of the previous regimes. For instance, in March, the Delhi Government hurriedly allowed more than 0.5 per cent construction and permitted tourism-related activities in nature conservation zones.
This was done despite stiff opposition from the National Capital Region Planning Board and several cautionary notes from environmental activists who pointed out that the plan was pushed without even an environment impact assessment.
The Modi Government, since sweeping to power in May, has become synonymous with a resolute stance on important issues including does related to the environment. This determined resolve can successfully change the casual approach of the authorities and help protect eco-sensitive zones in urban areas from the insatiable requirements of the real estate lobby.
A beginning can be made by blocking the efforts of the real estate lobby to reduce the area demarcated as eco-sensitive zones in metro cities so that more land is available for construction activities. This initiative will send a strong message across to the lobby regarding the Government’s non-negotiable positions on environmental issues.
The Government must also display zero tolerance towards builders in matters pertaining to safeguarding of environment, by meting out exemplary penalties for chronic violators. Moreover, a sustainable solution for urban development that is in harmony with nature is possible only when it will come from developers and builders themselves, instead of being thrust upon the real estate sector by the authorities, as is currently the case.
To ensure this, the Government must sensitise the realty sector on the merits of a harmonious co-existence with nature and empower builders and property developers with suitable incentives and subsidies to achieve this goal.
Eco-sensitive zones are crucial in order to provide better sanctity to environmentally protected areas and act as an additional tool to strengthen the buffers and corridors around the protected area network. This helps check the negative impact of industrialisation and unplanned development in and around protected areas.
To maintain the purpose of the eco-sensitive zones, the Government must desist from re-drawing their boundaries after having come under pressure. Eco-sensitive zones cannot be a flexible and negotiable concept because then it will lead to continuous shrinkage of these areas.
In addition, consumer awareness is critical if urban ecological hotspots are to survive. The Government must provide a checklist for all prospective buyers in order to remove any ambiguity regarding a realty project’s status vis-Ã -vis its environmental approvals and clearances, and other green compliances.