Development is inevitable and must be accommodated. However, uncontrolled growth is destructive. Any development, which does not address the environmental factors of the place for which it is designed, will lead to degradation and destruction. Conservation principles can avert destruction and ensure protection and enhancement. The aim of the proposed natural environment protection and enhancement zone is to conserve the valuable environment assets of the town and the entire region for future generations. The environmental protection and enhancement zones proposed in the Structure Plan for Gelephu, provide protection measures for the entire region surrounding the town.

At this point, it is necessary for the decision makers to understand that the protection and enhancement of the natural environment of the Gelephu region is essential for the very existence of the town in the future. An appropriate comparison would be the care and sensitivity employed by the Dutch over centuries to assure the sea water does not inundate and destroy their nation’s cities. Environmentally the Gelephu region could be defined as the catchment areas of the mountain slopes, watersheds of the rivers flowing into and adjacent to adjoining the town. When the ecological balance is disturbed the impact may be the destruction of the entire town!

Though some of the issues raised, and the related actions proposed, fall beyond the extent and framework of the Structure Plan for the Gelephu town, it is strongly felt that these issues are very crucial to the future development potentials of the town and the region.

Environment Conservation is adopted through Natural Environment Protection and Enhancement Zones in the Structure Plan, devised to protect and conserve the ecologically fragile areas of the town. The proposed Natural Environment Protection and Enhancement Zones are classified into:

• Natural Surface Drainage and Ground Water Reserve Protection Zones;
• Soil Stabilization Zones in the adjoining mountain slopes of the Gelephu region;
• Water-Shed Management Zone of the rivers flowing in the Gelephu region; and,
• Flood Protection Zones.

All the proposed Environment protection and Enhancement Zones will fall as a part of the respective Environmental Precincts proposed as a part of the precinct plan for the town.

5.7.1 EN-1 – Natural Surface Drainage and Ground Water Reserve Protection Zone

The natural surface drainage system in any given landscape follows a particular pattern, which is mainly guided by the land form and the topographical character of the place and is specific to any given situation. These natural drainage patterns, if not protected and reserved in place that receives annual rainfall of about 5000 mm, will result in flooding and water clogging at low lying areas resulting in damage to the entire urban system. This issue becomes critical given the flat terrain of the town. Most Indian cities like Chennai and Ahmedabad, which have neglected the established natural surface drainage patterns during new development, face acute flooding and water clogging in various areas.

One of the main aims of the Gelephu Structure Plan is to protect and conserve these natural surface drainage patterns by reserving spaces for their un-interrupted flow, together with enhancing the natural environment.

The topographical characteristics create the natural surface drainage patterns within the town, constituting the Natural Surface Drainage Protection Zone proposed in the Gelephu Structure Plan. This system plays the key role in protecting the edges of the drains from erosion and helps in reducing the speed of the water flowing along its course during peak seasons.

The objective of this proposed zone is to protect and conserve the natural surface drainage pattern of the town from encroachments and damage by establishing a greenbelt within the town along the drainage network. The Natural Surface Drains Protection Zone could be classified into:

• Surface Storm-Water Drain Protection Zone
• Ground Water Protection and Management Zone

These are essential for Gelephu’s survival!

5.7.1.1 EN-1 – A. Surface Storm-Water Drain Protection Zone

The Proposed Surface Storm-Water Drain Side Protection Zone includes, various dominant and primary storm-water drainage courses identified within the Municipal Corporation boundary. This surface storm-water drainage pattern existing in the town is identified by studying the existing reliefs and topography of the town’s landscape.

The edges of these drains are highly eco-fragile in nature and need immediate attention towards effective soil-stabilization and protection measures along its course. Moreover, the phenomenon of swelling width of the water course during peak rain seasons also posses a threat to any kind of development adjoining its edges. Considering the above mentioned rationale, it is proposed to define a green buffer zone of twenty meters wide right-of-way along the dominant and primary natural surface drain course identified in the structure plan . The right-of-way width of the proposed green buffer shall not be less than fifteen meters at any place along the course of the natural drainage channel, which could be decided with respect to the specific ground condition, the land form and the volume of the storm water discharge, upon the approval from the competent authorities.

While it is imperative that, the courses of these natural surface drains, identified in the Gelephu Structure Plan, can not be blocked by any future development, and the protection zone along the course of the drains should be treated as a non-negotiable part of the Structure Plan, flexibilities towards redefining and realigning the course of these drains could be approved considering the crucial needs of urbanization provided that any such activity should strictly follow the topographical and land form characters of the specific area and should strictly follow the underlined guidelines. Any such activity should be cleared from the competent authority.

Proposed Actions for Surface Storm-Water Drain Protection Zone

The proposed Natural Surface Drain Side Protection Zone is a part the Environmental Conservation (E-1) sub-precinct under the Environment Precinct Proposed in the Precinct Plan. The proposed actions for this zone are:

• No habitable development or construction shall be permitted within ten meters from the centre of the natural drain course, or such distance as may be prescribed under any other general or specific orders of the Royal Government, or any other competent authority.
• Natural landscape features of the surface drains, which include the natural course of storm-water, edges, soil, vegetation (trees, shrubs and ground covers), rocky outcrops, boulders and any feature, or element, which is part of the natural drainage system, or which is considered to be of scenic value may not be damaged or disturbed from its natural state of being.
• Construction of roads, laying of underground cables and other service networks, other structures like high-tension cable pylons, transmission towers and installations of electric substations shall not be permitted within the zone prescribed earlier for the surface storm-water drains.
• Dumping of solid wastes, disposal of domestic wastewater and sewage, washing of automobiles, or any other action considered as a cause of polluting or damaging this zone will not be permitted.
• Existing structures within this zone can be retained, but their further development shall not be allowed and subsequent development should get clearance from the National Environment Commission or other competent authority.
• Existing land use, which is considered not to cause any impact on the natural drainage system, can be retained after a detailed assessment by any competent authorities, and after obtaining their no - objection certification.
• Active and Passive recreational Open Spaces development, which do not block the flow of storm water, will be allowed in the proposed protection zone considering the nature landscape at specific places and with permission from competent authorities..

Guidelines and Permitted Actions

• Passive open space development like horticulture, nurseries, forest vegetation cover and passive recreational activity spaces like unpaved walk ways, adventure trials could be allowed in the proposed protection zone.
• Stretches of the zones, which are not fragile in terms of their ecological character, shall be permitted to have active recreational open spaces like parks and sporting facilities, with the approval from the competent authorities.
• Footpaths, cycle tracks, vehicular bridges, footbridges, and other permanent landscape elements like lamp posts, benches, gazebos, children’s play equipment and litter bins, in normal condition shall be permitted only beyond five meters from the centre of the surface storm-water drain course. However, under the special approval from the competitive authorities like National Environment Commission, Nature Conservation Division and after carrying out a thorough study of the past flooding trends, the above mentioned landscape features could be allowed with in the protected zone, where the flooding risks are comparatively less. Under any circumstances these developments should not be allowed blocking the natural flow of storm water in the drain and no permanent urban developments in terms of built structures should be allowed with in the proposed protection zone.
• Footpaths shall be permitted along the boundary of the protection zone.
• The location and layout for the above mentioned developments should obtain the approval of the National Environment Commission, the Nature Conservation Division (MoA) or any other competent authorities.
• Actions related to protection, conservation and enhancement of the zone will be permitted under the guidance of the National Environment Commission, the Nature Conservation Division (MoA) or any other competent authorities.
• Actions related to changing, realigning and redefining the course of drainage pattern, edge protection works for the natural surface drains shall be permitted with the clearance from the National Environment Commission, the Nature Conservation Division (MoA) or any other competent authorities.
• The protection zones can be adopted and maintained by any institution or organization in the immediate surroundings of the zone and will be owned by the government or local governing authority.

Surface Run-off Purification Ponds

The course and the surface storm-water drainage system within Municipal Corporation limits are heavily polluted due to disposal of domestic waste water and solid wastes. The proposed storm water drain purification ponds will filter and purify the organic and suspended particles carried by the surface run-off before joining the river. These purification ponds will be natural water retention ponds located at the confluence of the drain and the river. These ponds will also act as recreational features along the riverside green belt.

5.7.1.2 EN-1 – B. Ground Water Protection and Management Zone

The objective of this zone is to protect, conserve and manage the potential ground water resources within the town and to prevent urban development and hard paving on these areas. The extent of land which are potential ground water resource areas within the municipal limits will be demarcated as Ground Water Protection and Management Zone. Suitable measures towards identifying these areas in the future with the help of Department of Geology and Mines are crucial to protect the ground water resources of the town. Areas to be identified within the town as ground water aquifers or ground water recharge sites in the future would also be categorized under this zone.

Proposed Actions and Guidelines for Ground Water Protection and Management Zones

• The proposed Ground Water Protection and Management zone will be part of the Local Green Space System (E-6) sub-precinct a part of the proposed Environmental Precinct, as per the precinct plan.
• Agriculture, floriculture and horticulture are the best suitable land uses for the zone.
• Existing vegetation cover, which is indigenous to the area, should be retained.
• Construction of buildings which are dominated by hard paving of ground surfaces shall not be permitted.
• The zone will be developed as a part of parks, nurseries or gardens without disturbing the characteristics of the soil and subsurface geology of the area.
• Parks, nurseries and gardens shall be permitted with minimum built-up areas and hard paved surface areas. The layout of the proposed park, location, ground coverage, construction material, technology and process of construction of the structures should obtain approval and clearance from the National Environment Commission, the Nature Conservation Division (MoA) or any other competent authorities.
• Out - door sports activities which do not require hard paved surfaces and built structures shall be permitted after approval by the National Environment Commission, the Nature Conservation Division (MoA) or any other competent authorities.

5.7.2 EN-2 – Slope and Soil Stabilization Zones

The objective of the slope and soil stabilization zone is to protect and stabilize the slopes of the mountains adjoining the Gelephu town from soil erosion and landslides, which result in heavy siltation on the river beds, thus making the river shallower and to reduce the speed and amount of surface runoff of the area. This will help in protecting the town from the risk of possible flooding. The slopes of the adjoining mountains of the town and areas which are barren and prone to landslides and soil erosion are defined as Slope and Soil Stabilization Zones of the region. The abandoned quarries located in the higher hill slopes to the north of the Gelephu town will also be classified under this zone.

Proposed Actions and Guidelines for Slope and Soil Stabilization Zones

This zone should be defined as an extension of the Environment Conservation (E-1), or Forest Environments (E-2) under the Environmental Precinct, proposed in the Precinct Plan, since most of these lands are currently un-occupied or un-developed.

• Quarrying and mining activities in this zone, and in any part of the hill slopes, should not be permitted under any circumstance.
• Areas under Very Steep Slopes category (above 30% slopes), which do not have any access should be prohibited for development and shall be planted for forest cover.
• All the barren areas of the slopes should be reserved as non-development zones and planting of trees should be given immediate priority.
• Building of bunts and check dams along the course of the rivers and streams should be encouraged to reduce the speed and amount of down stream surface runoffs in an environment friendly manner.
• Planting of trees in the slopes, community forestry and social forestry activities on the slopes of the mountains should be encouraged and supported by the government.
• Areas under Very Steep Slope category (above 30% slopes) and Steep Slope category (20% - 30%) that are barren and have already been provided with access roads and other infrastructure networks should be prohibited from any future development and shall be planted with trees, shrubs and, ground covers of indigenous species.
• Grazing in the slopes should be restricted to a major extent and are to be strictly monitored and regularized. All the slope and forest areas should not be opened for grazing. Only identified areas should be allowed for grazing.
• Any future development in these areas, under special circumstance, shall be permitted only after carrying out a thorough Environment Impact Assessment and with the clearance from the National Environment Commission and with, the Nature Conservation Division (MoA). Environment conservation, protection and enhancement should be made mandatory and as a prime aspect of such development with strict vigilance and monitoring.
• Areas on the Steep Slopes and Very Steep Slopes with existing roads and infrastructure networks, with appropriate vegetative cover should be developed in such a manner as to perpetuate their existing wooded aspect. The maximum density permitted for the development will be one house per one thousand square meters of land area. The most suitable land uses for these areas are large institutional campuses, eco-resorts and farm houses.
• All the above - mentioned development in the zone shall be permitted only after a thorough study and analysis of soil and the geological conditions of the area and after obtaining clearance from the National Environment Commission and, the Nature Conservation Division (MoA).
• The development should not alter the existing natural surface drainage pattern and should take care of the surface runoff .The storm water drainage network should be well planned.

5.7.3 EN-3 – Proposed Watershed Management Zones

The areas defined as the Watershed Management Zone of a stream, or a river, are the areas which contribute to the drainage networks which form the stream or the river. A watershed management zone, taken as a planning unit, includes the source and the catchment area from which water drains into a small gully, a small stream made of gullies, a small rivulet made of streams and small rivers made of rivulets, etc. An optimally functioning watershed holds a great deal of the rain water that falls over it within its micro-catchment area, minimizing the run-off into the next lower macro-watershed unit. When all of the watersheds begin to dis-function and overflow into the lower units, flooding is inevitable! Thus, various measures need to be taken to stop this disastrous process, which is amplified by indiscriminant tree cutting and careless, irresponsible new development activities, roads and mining. The protection measures in these regions involve digging trenches along hill slope contours and planting trees within the small water catchers. Likewise even small gullies and streams can be damed or "bunded," to stop the fast downward running of rain water, and trees can be planted in the gullies themselves. Check dams in streams and their side lining is needed in the Gelephu region. Watersheds management, to be effective, must start with smaller works, over larger areas, in the upper, micro-level watersheds. Focus must be on locations where mining, roads, indiscriminant tree cutting, natural landslides, or shifting cultivation has created major damage.

Most of the streams and the rivers flowing into the Gelephu region have their watershed areas in the mountains to the north of the town. The aim of the proposed Watershed Management Zones is to protect the environment of the natural drainage network and other natural sources of the river and the streams, which include the slopes, vegetation, soil and the ecology of the watershed area. The approach cannot be limited to the town, but must be part of a macro-watershed region approach.

Proposed Actions and Guidelines for Watershed Management Zones

The primary requirement for protecting these watersheds is their detailed study and mapping to demarcate the areas.

• Development on slopes, which are part of the watershed region, should be prohibited and permission for development under special circumstance shall be permitted only after detailed study and analysis of soil, geology, surface runoff and vegetation of the area. Environment conservation, protection and enhancement should be made mandatory and as a prime aspect of such development with strict vigilance and monitoring.
• The vegetative cover in the watershed region should be protected and intensified if necessary, with indigenous plants thus preventing the surface runoff and soil erosion.
• The natural drainage pattern, rivulets, and gullies in this zone should be protected and maintained.
• Grazing on the slopes, associated to the watershed area, should be restricted.
• Respective Dzongkhag Administration’s forest division will hold the responsibility towards maintaining, protecting and conserving the water shed zones of the entire region under the guidance of National Environment Commission, the Nature conservation Division (MoA) or any other competent authority.

5.7.4 EN-4 – Flood Protection Zone

Gelephu, because of its location in the Terai region of the Himalayas, posses greater risk of flooding. Unless, suitable measures towards protecting the town from the high risk of flooding is considered under high priority, as mention earlier the existence of the town in the future, is in doubt. The town has already experienced heavy damage due to flooding in the past, and has been shifted twice from its previous location. Considering these conditions, it is strongly advocated in the Structure Plan for Gelephu that suitable flood protection measures should be implemented in the town and its immediate surroundings as an immediate priority. The Structure Plan also proposes various non-developable buffers aiming at pulling the future urban developments away from the areas which possess high risk of flooding.

The area defined as the flood protection zone in the Gelephu Structure Plan includes, the banks/edges, its immediate surroundings, its related systems and the flood plains of the Mao Chhu, Sethikare Chhu, Aipole Chhu and all other rivers flowing within the Municipal Corporation boundary and in the Gelephu region.

The edges of these rivers are highly prone for flash flooding and ideally should be excluded from any kind of permanent urban development. Due to the instant changing nature of the courses of these rivers, due to high siltation in the river beds, and the phenomenon of flash changes in the widths of these rivers during peak rainy seasons, it is virtually impossible at many points to actually determine the banks of these rivers. Construction even twenty-five meters away from the identified edges can be fatal and will face a high risk of flooding. The ill effects get further exaggerated due to the very high speed of the surface run-off flow as a result of reduction in the vegetation cover and low percolation of water in the slopes of the adjoining mountains. Due to these reasons the entire town faces a very high risk of possible flooding from these rivers at any point of time. The very existence of the town in the future itself is clouded, unless necessary flood protection measures are implemented under very high priority. Looking at the past history of the town further increases the crucial need for flood protection. Discussion with the town residents and technical members of various departments strongly brought fear in the minds of the people of Gelephu regarding the possibility of flooding. Indiscriminate mining activities in the higher hill slopes and cutting of trees on the slopes have attributed to the present, un-predictable nature of Gelephu.

The main objective of the flood protection zone proposed in the Structure Plan is to protect the town from the risk of flooding and to conserve the identified flood plains of the town from intense urban development, thus protecting the urban development from the possible natural risks. These acts in turn will help in creating active and passive recreational spaces for the residents of the Gelephu town and conserving the environment assets of the Gelephu town for the future generation.

The flood protection zones proposed for the Gelephu town identify two distinct flood prone areas and their immediate surroundings. They are:

• Areas, which get flooded every year and which are highly prone to flooding, with slight increases in the water level of the river, identified by studying the past five year flooding history of the town and its surroundings. These areas are proposed with Flood Prone Area Protection Zone under the Flood Prone Zone (E-4) sub-precinct a part of the Environmental Precinct as per the proposed precinct plan in the Structure Plan for Gelephu; and,
• Flood plains of the town, and its immediate surroundings, which are prone to flooding during high water levels in the river, identified by studying the past four to five decades of flooding history. These areas are proposed with Flood Plain Protection Zone under the Flood Prone Zone (E-4) sub-precinct a part of the Environmental Precinct as per the proposed precinct plan in the Structure Plan for Gelephu.

Apart from the proposed protection zones, any development in the areas adjoining the Setikhare Chhu and Mao Chhu needs immediate flood protection measures to avoid future disasters. As mentioned earlier this is true for the entire town also.

Due to the non-availability of documentation regarding the past history of flooding in Gelephu, the zones identified in the Structure Plan are based on interactions with the senior citizens and municipal officials of Gelephu. It is strongly recommended that a detailed survey towards identifying the flood risks and flood prone areas in the Gelephu town and its surroundings should be carried out on an urgent basis.

5.7.4.1 EN-4 – A. Flood Prone Area Protection Zone

The Flood Prone Areas Protection Zone identifies and includes the banks of the Mao Chhu, Sethikare Chhu, Aipole Chhu and other water courses of the region that are identified to be having a risk of flooding, causing damage to the town and its surroundings, and proposes a green buffer along their course on the either sides, prohibited from urbanization and other intense developmental activities. The proposed zone will also include the islands located in between the water courses of the river, which are prone to flash flooding. The need for this green buffer is felt crucial and necessary considering the unpredictable character of change in width of the rivers during the peak rainy season. This green corridor apart from pulling urban developments away from the areas which are highly prone for flash floods will also help in restricting developments along the river beds which are normally considered to be unsuitable for urbanization due to the complex geological condition of the soil. This protection zone will help in controlling the ever increasing width of the river into the urban areas. The proposed zone will also help in creating a system of open spaces along the edge of the river thus creating an asset for the residents of Gelephu, reduce the speed and amount of surface run-off, protect the edges of the river from the possibility of erosion and increase the percolation of surface runoff into the ground.

Towards rationalizing the width of this zone, the recommendation suggested by the “ Forest and Conservation Act, 1995”, is considered as the base. The Act strongly recommends a control zone of thirty meters from the edge of the water body, which reads as, “No permit shall be issued to fell and take any timber within hundred feet of the bank or edge of any river, stream, watercourse or water source.” However, various practices in the international avenue, like the mandatory fifty meter non-urbanizable zone along the course of the rivers adopted in various developed countries and the recently approved 100 meter river side buffer zones in countries like India, where the flood risks are not as much as of Gelephu town, strongly bring out the crucial need for rethinking the width of this zone.

Considering the above mentioned rationale and the legal aspects involved, the zone defined for the Mao Chhu, Sethikare Chhu, Aipole Chhu and other water courses of the region that are identified as having a high risk of flooding, include,

• the area of the water course identified from studying the past one decade history of flooding pattern in the river;
• its immediate surroundings within a minimum distance of sixty meters for Mao Chhu and thirty meters for other rivers measured from the banks, or the edge, of the watercourse, which is identified after studying the past one decade history of high flood level of the respective rivers; and,
• a mandatory flood protection measures zone consisting of man-made or natural flood protection mechanisms, as per the feasibility, for a minimum distance as may be prescribed under any general or specific orders of the Royal Government, or any other competent authority considering the technical requirement and the design consideration of the flood protection mechanism. The process and the completion of the construction of the flood protection measures should be certified and approved by competent authorities.

Proposed Actions and Guidelines for Flood Prone Areas Protection Zone

The proposed Flood Prone Areas Protection Zone is a part the Flood Prone Zone (E-4) sub-precinct under the Environment Precinct proposed in the Precinct Plan. The proposed actions for this zone are:

• No development or construction shall be permitted within sixty meters from the Mao Chhu and thirty meters from other rivers measured from the edge of the watercourse, or such distance as may be prescribed under any other general or specific orders of the Royal Government.
• Soil stabilization with local techniques, along the edge of the river course is one of the prime objectives of the proposed protection zone.
• Construction of roads, laying of underground cables and other service networks, other structures like high-tension cable pylons, transmission towers and installations of electric substations shall not be permitted within the zone prescribed earlier for the rivers.
• Dumping of solid wastes, disposal of domestic wastewater and sewage, washing of automobiles, or any other action considered as a cause of polluting or damaging this zone will not be permitted.
• Social and community forestry, planting of trees and activities towards increasing the vegetation cover of the protection zone would be highly encouraged with indigenous plant species capable of retaining the soil cover during floods.
• Existing structures within this zone can be retained temporarily, with strict restriction for further development and shall be shifted to other areas in phased manner.
• Existing land use, which is considered not to cause damage to the property and life of the human being during natural calamities, could be retained after a detailed assessment by the National Environment Commission and the Nature Conservation Division (MoA), and after obtaining their no-objection certificate.
• Existing vegetation cover, which is indigenous to the area, should be retained.
• River training on the river course shall be carried out at regular time interval under the guidance of the National Environment Commission, with out damaging the green buffer zone and the edges of the river.
• Ground water recharge mechanisms like ground water recharge ponds, percolation wells, water retention ponds, passive open spaces like un paved foot paths, adventure trials, horticulture, nurseries, dense forest vegetation covers with indigenous tree varieties, soil stabilization and erosion control mechanisms with out disturbing the course of the river shall be allowed in the green buffer zone.
• Actions related to protection, conservation and enhancement of the zone will be permitted under the guidance of the National Environment Commission and, the Nature Conservation Division (MoA).
• The protection zones can be adopted and maintained by any institution or organization under the guidance of competent authorities and the protection zone will be owned by the government/local governing authority.
• Any activity considered to be developed in this zone should be dually approved by all the competent authorities, departments and the Royal government of Bhutan before implementation and should be inspected, monitored and re-certified at regular interval.
• Grazing activity in this zone will not be permitted.

5.7.4.2 EN-4 – B. Flood Plains Protection Zone

Flood Plain Areas are those, which were once a part of the rivers. These areas apart from being prone to flooding are potential ground water resources of the town. The flood plains are essentially low lying areas of the town located along the banks of the rivers. These areas are best suitable for agricultural activities and locating ground water recharge systems. Though, these areas should not be ideally considered for intense urban development because of its prone for possible flooding, it could be developed as active recreational asset for the residents of the town.

These areas normally fall adjoining the river beds and are proposed beyond the mandatory Flood Prone Area Protection Zone (EN-4a) in the Gelephu Structure Plan. Any development in this zone should be considered only under the condition that necessary flood protection measures, towards protecting the entire flood plains from possible flooding, are implemented as apart of the proposed Flood Prone Area Protection Zone before such development.

Proposed Actions and Guidelines for Flood Plains Protection Zones

• The proposed Flood Plain Protection Zone will be part of the Flood Prone Zone (E-4) sub-precinct a part of the Environmental Precinct proposed as per the precinct plan.
• Any development in this zone shall be permitted only beyond the proposed Flood Prone Area Protection Zone (EN-4.a) which is mandatory for all the rivers, and shall be considered only after a thorough study and analysis of soil and geological condition of the area and after obtaining clearance from competent authority.
• Development in this zone shall be permitted only after necessary flood protection measures, a part of the Flood Prone Area Protection Zone towards protecting the entire flood plains from possible flooding, are implemented and certified.
• Ground water recharge mechanisms like ground water recharge ponds, percolation wells, water retention ponds, dense forest vegetation covers with indigenous tree varieties, soil stabilization and erosion control mechanisms with out disturbing the sub-surface geology of the place shall be permitted in this zone.
• Construction of buildings which are dominated by hard paved ground surfaces shall not be permitted.
• Though agriculture, floriculture and horticulture are the best suitable land uses for the zone, active recreational developments like theme parks, amusement parks, water based recreational activities, play grounds, public gathering grounds, river front developments, parks, nurseries, gardens, hospitality sector developments, etc. shall also be permitted with minimum built-up areas and hard paved surface areas. The layout of the developments, location, ground coverage, construction material, technology and process of construction of the structures related to the developments should obtain approval and clearance from the National Environment Commission, and the Nature Conservation Division (MoA).
• Tourism promotion and related activities shall be encouraged in this zone with developments dominated by open spaces and minimum built up area.
• Footpaths, cycle tracks, vehicular bridges, footbridges, and other permanent landscape elements like lamp posts, benches, gazebos, children’s play equipment and litter bins, shall be permitted only beyond the flood prone area protection zone.
• Existing vegetation cover, which is indigenous to the area, should be retained.
• The zone will be basically developed as an active recreational space with parks, nurseries and gardens without disturbing the characteristics of the soil and subsurface geology of the area.
• Out - door sports activities which do not require hard paved surfaces and built structures shall be permitted after approval by the National Environment Commission, and the Nature Conservation Division (MoA).
• Existing construction and land-uses in this zone shall be retained provided that those activities fulfill the actions and guidelines proposed for this zone.
• Actions related to protection, conservation and enhancement of the zone will be permitted under the guidance of the National Environment Commission, and the Nature Conservation Division (MoA).

Any activity considered to be developed in this zone should be dually approved by all the competent authorities, departments and the Royal government of Bhutan before implementation and should be inspected, monitored and re-certified at regular interval.

5.7.5 Forest Cover Protection Zone

The proposed forest cover protection zone, aim at protecting the existing forest cover of the Gelephu region which are at the mercy of various development pressures. The forest vegetations on the slopes of the hills adjacent to the Gelephu Town, the forest covers along the proposed Gelephu-Sarpang Urban Corridor, the vegetation cover on the Mao river bed, all the areas demarcated as forests by the Department of Forestry Services and areas identified for afforestation and community forestry by the Dzongkhag Forestry Sector with in the Municipal Corporation limit and its immediate periphery will be declared as a part of the proposed protection zone. Protecting these forests would protect the mountain slopes, wildlife habitats and would also enhance the greenery in the surrounding landscape. It will also help in controlling the climatic conditions of the place by creating micro-climate regions. The protection zone will also create a passive recreational zone for the town residents where people can leisure from all the urban tensions.

The proposed protection Zone will be a part of the Environmental Precinct under the Forest Environment (E-2) sub-precinct as per the proposed Precinct plan. The following will be the proposed actions and guidelines for the proposed protection zone.

• The areas identified for this zone is defined as Forest Environments (E-2) sub-precinct under the Proposed Precinct Plan.
• The " Forest and Conservation Act-1995,” which is applicable for forest areas will be strictly followed for this zones, to protect the forest from urban development.
• Grazing activities in this zone should be monitored and controlled.
• Areas identified for densification of forest cover and afforestation should be planted with plants of indigenous species, as directed by the Department of Forestry services and Dzongkhag Forest Sector.
• No access road or any service installation to service private lots will be permitted through this zone.
• Special guidelines towards protecting these areas shall be framed by the Nature Conservation Division (MoA), the Dzongkhag Forestry Sector and the Department of Forestry Services.

These areas can be used for passive recreation purposes like camping, picnic etc.

Proposed environment enhancement zone

Table 5.10 : List of Proposed Natural Environment Protection and Enhancement Zones