Udaipur, December 12, 2024 - Rajasthan Government has drafted a policy for constructions on the hills and incorporated strict guidelines, based on directives from the High Court. A draft of the new Hill Policy has been released and the government has sought objections and suggestions on it by December 20 before it becomes final.

The Hill Policy has been drafted with the goal to protect the Aravalli mountain range and its natural resources from excessive construction and ecological destruction. It has kept in mind the concerns of local communities, environmentalists and the legal system. Several significant measures have been incorporated to regulate development in the hilly areas, particularly focusing on construction, land use and environmental conservation.

In the new Hill Policy, the government has categorised the hills into three categories based on their ecological sensitivity and environmental importance. It has imposed a complete ban on construction on hills with slopes greater than 15 degrees. Residential colony and large-scale urban plans on the hills are prohibited. Additionally, construction of farmhouses, amusement parks and resorts has been regulated.

A key provision is that it is mandatory for local bodies to seek the assistance of the Government of India’s State Remote Sensing Agency or a similar technical institution to determine the categorisation of mountains. This agency will decide which mountains will be open for construction, how much construction will be allowed and which areas will be completely off-limits for construction.

The government has taken important steps to protect water bodies. Guidelines have been set for the minimum distance from rivers, streams and step-wells (bawri) for any construction in order to protect the hydrology of the region and avoid water pollution. Measures must be taken to conserve and restore existing water bodies on the hills.

In a nutshell, the guidelines are as such:

• Complete ban on construction on hills with slopes greater than 15 degrees.
• Minimum distances from water bodies which must be conserved.
• Residential colonies and large-scale urban development will not be allowed on the hills.
• For Category A - Construction will be allowed up to 8 degrees as per the master plan and prevailing rules.
• For Category B - Construction activities are restricted. For farmhouses, amusement parks, resorts, etc., the minimum plot size has been defined, and only 10-20 percent of the land will be allowed for construction. The maximum building height has been set at 9 meters.
• For Category C - No construction will be allowed because of environmental sensitivity.
• A complete ban has been imposed on the construction of basements on the mountains in order to protect the natural terrain.
• The policy stipulates that 40 percent of the area is designated for tree plantation and environmental conservation.
• Flora and fauna on the hills will have to be protected so that natural biodiversity of the region is not disturbed.

With Media Inputs