The security of a nation can not be compromised and hence one of the prime agenda in planning the border towns is to reserve adequate spaces for security measures in the future. Gelephu being a border town is no exception to this situation. Phuentsholing has quite a few lessons to offer related, to the border regulations which must be given due consideration. The porous nature of Bhutan-India border at Phuentsholing raises certain security concerns and Gelephu being envisioned as a major commercial centre, the border issue needs timely attention. On account of the present situation across the border this issue becomes more crucial than ever. The increased rate of urbanization in the country and the recent government initiatives toward strengthening the connectivity in the southern parts of Bhutan through the proposed Sibsu-Daipham National Highway, demands for policy level decisions across the country in this issue.
As a part of the proposal for action the Gelephu Structure Plan proposes a non-habitable green buffer zone along the Bhutan-India International Boundary. Ideally, the wider this non-habitable zone the better will be the security situation. However, the physiographical condition of the areas, being the only available flat and easily developable land in the entire country, and the constricted local conditions, their implications need attention and understanding in deciding the width of the buffer zone and the degree of control over the developments. There are large pockets of the limited public lands which would be lost in a one kilometer, or even five hundred meter security zone!
Though, the recommendations suggested as a part of the plan, address the political sensitivity of the issue, there remains a need for a policy level decision involving various disciplines, considering their respective rationales. The aim of the proposal is to initiate the process of discussion and to put forth the arguments from the planning perspective. We maintain that the recommendations mentioned here are discussed purely from the planning and land economics point of view and we strongly suggest that a detailed discussion should be initiated before deciding on the width of the International Buffer Zone. We must also respect the local stake holders views, regarding their precious land.
The structure plan recommends that the width of this proposed non-habitable green buffer zone should be maintained at a minimum of 500 meters from the International Boundary and should be demarcated as a separate precinct managed by the competent authorities, like Royal Bhutan Army.
Though no development would be allowed either permanent or temporary, in the areas proposed under the non-habitable green buffer zone, development related to security facilities, including immigration and customs could be allowed, under special approval from competent authorities and Royal Bhutan Army. Some functions which demand high security measures like air strips, gateways, other security and defense activities could be allowed in this proposed zone under special circumstances. Agriculture practice would also be allowed in this proposed zone provided that the type of crops cultivated would not restrict the vision and the accessibility when needed.
It is also recommended that a minimum of 500 meters beyond the proposed non-habitable green buffer zone, should be demarcated as a restricted development zone. This zone would be primarily a low-density development area, strictly complying with the Special Development Control Regulations approved by the Royal Bhutan Army. Apart from agriculture practices, and development related to security facilities, construction of farm houses and other low-density housing typologies which are not urban intensive would be allowed in plots with an area of more that one acre, with one such structure allowed per one acre of land area.
As a policy this buffer zones could be demarcated by means of natural features like rivers, streams, land reliefs, etc. or by means of manmade features like roads, irrigation canals, etc which would facilitate accessibility upon necessities. Further in the long run the Government and local administration should take appropriate measures to resettle the existing houses and other developments in the International Border Precinct to a safer place, outside and make the precinct free of any type of habitat and urban development.
In the case of Gelephu, the proposed International Boundary precinct to the east of the Gelephu-Trongsa Highway (the Proposed Royal Boulevard) is demarcated by the existing water channel running adjoining the vegetable market, whereas to the west of the highway most of the land is under forest cover. It is proposed that the existing residential and other developments along the sides of the highway, in the non-habitable buffer zone, should be gradually rehabilitated, starting from the international border line side.