The Capital Development Authority (CDA) Board has approved in principle a major zoning reform proposal to strengthen environmental protection around the Margalla Hills National Park (MHNP).
The proposal includes acquiring privately owned land and banning further construction in several adjoining areas until the revised zoning framework is implemented.
According to the official documents, the CDA Board has approved in principle amendments to the ICT Zoning Regulations, 1992, related to Zone-3. The board has also formed a six-member high-level committee to finalize recommendations, which will later be forwarded to the Federal Cabinet for final approval.
Under the proposed changes, the already notified area of the Margalla Hills National Park will continue to fall under Zone-3. However, the unacquired settlements of Shahdara, Talhar and Gokina, located on the park’s periphery, will be included in the newly proposed Zone-3A.
The CDA has decided to acquire land in these areas and stop any further development or construction until the new zoning framework is formally implemented.
The documents also show that land located between the Margalla Hills National Park and residential sectors, extending north of Margalla Avenue up to Sector C-16, will be classified as Zone-1A.
The CDA will acquire private land in this area and develop housing and planning schemes under Zone-1 regulations. This land will be integrated with areas already owned by the authority.
Existing villages and settlements will be regulated and limited to defined boundaries, while no further construction will be allowed on privately owned land.
Another area, located between the Margalla Hills National Park and Murree Road/Srinagar Highway, will be designated as Zone-4E.
Under this category, private developers will be allowed to carry out development projects in line with CDA zoning regulations, but only after getting prior approval from the authority. The CDA will also be allowed to launch development schemes on land in the area that has already been acquired.
The proposed sub-zones and their geographical boundaries have been identified on maps attached to the board’s decision.
The CDA Board has also approved the formation of a committee to prepare draft zoning regulations for the newly created sub-zones. These regulations will cover land-use classifications, planning strategies, village details and population data.
The committee will be headed by the CDA Member Planning and Design. Its members will include the Member Estate, renowned architect Nayyar Ali Dada, a CDA Board member, the Director General Environment, the Director Technical to the CDA Chairman and the Director Master Plan.
The committee will also be allowed to co-opt additional members if required.
It has been directed to submit its recommendations to the CDA Board within 15 days. After approval by the board, a summary will be sent through the Ministry of Interior to the Federal Cabinet for consideration.
Once the Federal Cabinet grants final approval, the CDA Board will formally approve building regulations and development controls for the newly designated zones.
A senior CDA official confirmed that the board had formally taken the decision.