Himachal Pradesh to make construction regulations in Shimla green belt more stringent

Himachal Pradesh to make construction regulations in Shimla green belt more stringent

The Himachal Pradesh government will make construction regulations in the green belt areas of Shimla district more stringent, a spokesperson said on Thursday.

In April 2022, the previous BJP government approved the Shimla Development Plan, which included a provision to construct one-and-a-half-storeyed buildings along with parking in the green belt. However, the plan was notified in June 2023 after the Supreme Court’s approval, but it has not been implemented yet.

The spokesperson said that in view of the devastation caused by the torrential rains and landslides in the state recently, Chief Minister Thakur Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu directed to make the construction regulations more stringent.

The cabinet meeting held on October 11 decided to prohibit construction activities in all the plots in the Jakhu hills region that have even a single green or dry tree. Construction activities will also be banned in those plots where green or dry trees have been found axed or fallen.

The spokesperson said that this notification would be submitted in the Supreme Court and the Shimla Development Plan would be implemented only after the permission of the Court.

The state government is committed to protect and conserve the environment and many significant decisions are being taken in this direction, the spokesperson said. The government is also contemplating to bring more areas of Shimla and its suburbs under the green belt area.

Himachal Pradesh, Shimla, green belt, construction regulations, stricter, torrential rains, landslides, environment, conservation