It’s wrong to assume that one size fits all. How can there be a fixed buffer zone for lakes of various sizes? If one uniform zone is applied, the construction of buildings will not be affected as such, but their development will not be financially viable as the land and property prices besides the lakes will drop considerably.
This is as far as the new properties that will come up after the National Green Tribunal order increasing the buffer zone around lakes was issued. But what about the old buildings that were sanctioned before this order was passed?
These will be demolished as they will not be in accordance with the lake buffer zone rules. Whose fault is it in this case? Is the land developer, who sanctioned the project before this order came into being to blame or the government?
The authorities need to have better planning. They must survey each lake, its spread, the road width around it and take a lot of other factors into account as well. As each lake has different specifications, the buffer zone has to be worked out accordingly to make sure that real estate properties developing beside it can grow in a planned manner.
This is no doubt an ecological friendly initiative by the NGT and everyone must follow the law. If there are proper buffer zones for each lake, the builders will be able to follow them as they will be viable.
On the other hand, they may find it hard to follow the current NGT order as it is just another consumer unfriendly law. If it is enforced, buildings will continue to come up around lakes, but in an unplanned manner, affecting real estate growth.
— Farook Mahmood, chairman and managing directorof Silverline Realty Group
