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As the regulatory environment surrounding Indian real estate inches towards the better, the Central government is now displaying a keen focus on the environment too - yes, the green stuff that keeps us alive.
The Green Game's Changing
On February 28, unknown to the average real estate newsletter, the Environment Ministry issued a game-changing draft notification affecting the built environment, seeking public suggestions and objections on the proposal within 60 days.Among numerous guidelines, the draft proposes that at least one tree be planted in every 80 sq. m. of a project's land area to ensure construction sites have at least 10% of their plot areas under tree cover.
FYI, the new green regulations will affect projects involving construction of new buildings as well as renovation or repair of old existing buildings having a built-up area of over 5,000 sq. m.
🍀 The topsoil may be stripped only up to a maximum depth of 20 cm from the land surfaces proposed for buildings, roads, paved areas, and external services.
🍀 Rooftop and non-roof rainwater harvesting in projects must be designed and implemented to capture at least 'one day rainfall runoff volume'.
🍀 A minimum 20% of open spaces should be pervious. Use of grass pavers or paver blocks with at least 50% opening would also be considered as a pervious surface.
🍀 A dual plumbing system must be implemented - one for supplying fresh potable water and another for supply of treated water for flushing.
🍀 No construction will be allowed on wetland and water bodies.
More From The New Rulebook
🍀 Groundwater cannot be used for project construction except when specifically approved by the Central Ground Water Authority, and
🍀 All project promoters have to be photographed hugging trees and such images have to be put on billboards around the site instead of the usual half-true sales pitches.