The Member of Parliament from Paro recommended the Works and Human Settlement Minister to relook and consider revisiting the Paro Valley Development Plan. The MP said people are confronted with challenges and issues while implementing the plan due to many restrictions. The issue was raised during the question hour session at the National Council yesterday.
The Ministry of Works and Human Settlement framed the Paro Valley Development Plan some four years ago to promote integrated planning by keeping traditional architects intact and the cultural landscape preserved.
The MP from Paro said the identification of the Green zone and Buffer zone or Red zone under the plan is confusing and has some practical issues. For instance, if a particular area falls in the Green zone, people are not allowed to convert wetland to dry land and cannot undertake any construction works. And in the Buffer zone, people are not allowed to do any developmental activities as it is identified as unsafe for settlement.
“Whether it’s a Green zone, Red zone, or Buffer zone, once the government has identified these zones, the government should offer them a land replacement or provide compensation. Today, when the land falls under these zones, it remains unutilized. It’s alright for people who have land but for those who have only a few decimals of land, the plan prohibits them from carrying out any developmental activities,” said Ugyen Tshering, Paro MP.
To this, the Works and Human Settlement Minister said the ministry has already started reviewing the Valley Development Plan and expects it to complete by the end of this month.
Meanwhile, the minister said the Valley Development Plan was developed following all rules and acts.
“The ministry alone didn’t decide about the Valley Development. For instance, as per the Land Act 2007, individuals cannot construct houses on a wetland. And, as per the Water Act, one cannot construct houses or carry out construction activities within 30 meters from the riverside. Likewise, as per the Forest and Nature Conservation Act, people are not allowed to build houses on wetland and near rivers. Also, as per the Road Act, one cannot carry out construction activities within 50 feet from the road,” said the Works and Human Settlement Minister.
The Minister added the ministry will uphold the restrictions to prohibit any developmental activities on wetlands. To date, the ministry has received issues regarding the valley development plan from over 120 plot owners in Paro Dzongkhag.
PST/Karma Wangdi
