Know This Fact Before Investing in Property in Noida

Noida is one of the most rapidly developing real estate markets in India – be it commercial or residential. However, a lesser-known fact about real estate in Noida is the presence of the eco-sensitive zone (ESZ) of the Okhla Bird Sanctuary, which affects the development of several properties in Noida. The dispute regarding the presence of this ESZ and the developments around the areas has been going on for some time now. The fate of 30,000 property owners and 25 projects in Noida is at stake. Read more about eco-sensitive zones in India here.

According to the latest decision by the Supreme Court of India, the area of the ESZ of the Okhla Bird Sanctuary has been reduced from the standard 10 kilometer radius to 100 square meters in Noida. The development has come as relief to many property buyers, as the decision now exempts many housing projects from ESZ norms. The ESZ norms now apply to any projects falling within the 100 square meters area around the Okhla Bird Sanctuary, which is deemed as a no-development zone. It is also suggested that no augmentation should take place in the range that pans across Noida and Delhi, as any construction in the area can wipe off the natural flora and fauna at any time.

As far as investment or development of property in Noida is concerned, leaving approximately 100 to 500 square meter of area vacant around the ESZ will be safer for both the builders as well as the procurers as the area of the ESZ can be extended at any point in future. Many of the existing protected areas have already registered a high rate of development in close proximity to their boundaries despite government regulations. Therefore, defining the extent of the ESZs will have to be kept flexible while strictly maintaining the protected area’s boundaries.

However, following the general principle, the radius could go up to 10 kilometers keeping in mind the ongoing disputes regarding the issue. According to officials, the area up to DND flyover across the Yamuna river bed, situated in Gautam Buddh Nagar, falls under the northern boundaries of the Okhla Bird Sanctuary.

The ESZ of Okhla Bird Sanctuary in Noida (Photo Credit-scstsenvis.nic.in)

Approximately 25 projects in Noida are affected by this judgment. Most of the projects are located in Sectors 74, 75, 76, 122 and 137 and belong to major builders like Amrapali, Logix, Jaypee, Gulshan Homz, ATS, Antriksh, Supertech and Paramount. Because of the declared eco-sensitive zone, the fate of around 30,000 owners of property in Noida hangs in balance.

It is advised that buying a property in Noida in such disputed areas is avoided to escape litigations in future. Lack of knowledge about laws regarding the ESZs can land both the parties in trouble.

Several projects in Noida were jolted drastically and remain unsold because of the National Green Tribunal order (Photo Credits: commons.wikimedia.org)

 For example, several projects in Noida remained unsold because of the National Green Tribunal order forbidding authorities from registering properties falling within the eco-sensitive zone around the Okhla Bird Sanctuary. Following the order, investors raised their voice over the deferred possession. Meanwhile, the Resident’s Welfare Association of Noida has decided to stand by the procurers in the struggle to get their flats through justice, revolting against both the Noida authority and property developers.

Before investing in property in Noida, it would be useful to ask these questions: