Village Development Plan for Rural Settlements in a Metropolitan Region – Case Study of Mitraon Village, Najafgarh Block, Delhi Dr. Anjan Sen* ABSTRACT The present paper studies the settlement system of rural areas in the metropolitan region of Delhi City, with the objective of analyzing the nature of urbanization process working in these rural areas, and preparing a development plan for a model village. The case study for the present research is Mitraon Village and Najafgarh Block in NCT of Delhi.
1.
INTRODUCTION
National Capital Territory of Delhi is a highly urbanized territory, with four-fifth of its population and one-third of its area concentrated in one urban core – the City of Delhi. The rapid expansion of this urban core over the last few decades has tremendously increased the pressure on the surrounding rural periphery. In order to ease its rapidly expanding population, the urban core of Delhi has gradually expanded horizontally over the years by including in it, the parts of the surrounding rural periphery. The trend during the last decade 1981-91 indicates that the population of Delhi’s rural periphery increased from 977,970 to 1,818,250 thereby recording a decennial growth rate of 86%; which compares to only 45% for the urban core of Delhi, whose population increased from 5,242,436 to 7,602,394. Despite the fact that the rural periphery of Delhi recorded an absolute increase in population, there was a net reduction in rural area: from 1,037 sq. km. in 1981 to 966 sq.km in 1991 (7%). Simultaneously the urban area increased from 446 sq. km. to 517 sq. km (16%). Hence, for the first time in Delhi’s demographic history, the rural periphery was facing a peculiar situation, rural population growing at an exorbitantly high rate of 86%, while the rural area decreasing at the rate of –7%. Such unbalanced growth, comprising expansion of population and contraction of area has several negative implications for the rural settlement and its ecology, economy and infrastructure. The chains of problems, as discussed above, are the outcome of a gradual process of expanding urban core of Delhi into its rural periphery. The unforeseen consequences not only wreck the potential of rural areas, but also destroy the very identity of the village as unit of settlement. The rural areas of Delhi can grow in any of the following four alternative ways: 1.
*
Organic Development: The rural area is allowed to grow as it is growing presently. This is the worst alternative, as unrestricted growth will result in unplanned, haphazard and unauthorized development of non-conforming land-uses. This will be a disaster as the village ecology, economy and infrastructures will be completely destroyed. Dr. Anjan Sen is Assistant Professor in Geography at Delhi School of Economics in the University of Delhi. He is MA Geography from JNU (1992), M. Planning in Regional Planning from SPA (1994), and PhD from IIT Delhi (2001). His teaching and research interests are in ‘New’ Economic Geography (Spatial Economics), Regional Development Theory, and Planning for Metropolitan Regions. E-mail:
[email protected].
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2.
Zoning Regulation: All plans for development of the rural areas are compulsorily made to the sanctioned and approved by a designated authority. This is an ideal proposition, but very difficult to monitor and implement, because legal complications are involved. Besides, private capital investment will not come in the developmental sector in this era of liberalization.
3.
Planned Development: All the village lands, excluding the settlement area is acquired by DDA, and then appropriately planned for establishing large residential complexes. This is favorable alternative but faces three major problems: heavy pressure on scarce financial resources required for paying compensation for acquiring land; increase in Delhi’s population owing to establishment of residential units; and heavy pressure on the existing infrastructural facilities and amenities.
4.
Village Developmental Planning: The three alternatives mentioned above have two inherent weaknesses: the identity of the village is wiped out; and there is no involvement of local people in their own planning. The Constitutions’ (73rd Amendment) Act, 1992, enjoins upon the village local-self-government (locally called Panchayat) to two functions of planning:
Preparation of plans for economic development and social justice; Implementation of schemes for economic development and social justice as may be entrusted to them including those in relation to matters listed in the Eleventh Schedule of the constitution.
Village developmental planning seems to be the best alternative in dealing with urbanization related problem, because of two reasons. Firstly, the identity of the village as spatial unit of settlement is retained in terms of its ecology, economy and infrastructures. Secondly, the planning is participatory, as the democratically elected panchayat takes decision in accordance with the needs and priorities of local people. The traditional spatial approaches to village planning and development emphasizes establishment of growth center in the rural areas, having well-developed linkages to the surrounding villages. E. A. J. Johnson in his ‘growth center approach’ proposes ‘agrarian commercialization’, whereby farmers are closely integrated into the market economy, while J. Friedmann and M. Douglass in their ‘agropolitan approach’ propose establishment of ‘agropolis’ i.e. a town based on agricultural activities (city-in-the-fields). D. A. Rondinelli and K. Ruddle in their ‘regional approach’ propose establishment of a three-tier hierarchy of urban settlements in a predominantly rural region with a strong spatial linkages. The various spatial plans of Delhi related to village planning and development stresses upon the provision of both basic and higher infrastructural facilities to all the villages of Delhi. In addition, the NCR Regional Plan emphasizes up-gradation of skills of non-agricultural workers, while the Master Plan of Delhi and Mini Master Plan emphasizes establishment of compatible industries in the village for providing employment to these non-agricultural workers. Further, the Master Plan of Delhi has also emphasized on preserving the ecology and environment of the villages. The views expressed by experts from DDA and MCD on village planning and development for Delhi is fairly similar. R. G. Gupta, Director of Planning (DDA), suggests preparation of long term plan for the villages, abolition of the laldora, and establishment of residential farmhouses. S. Singh, Assistant Town Planner (MCD), proposes regulation of village land uses, provision of linkages between the villages and Delhi City, and proper maintenance of the assets created under the plan. Both the experts suggest coordination among various agencies, through a unified authority, and proper management of scarce financial resources required for implementing the plan. However, the views of H. B Singh., Professor of Rural
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Development (SPA) are revolutionary. He suggests identification of non-growth areas rather than growth centers in the rural areas around Delhi City, conservation of natural heritage, preservation of cultural landscape, and better deals for the resident population, as they are the owners of the lands. The basic principles of village planning and development indicate that planning and developmental aspects of villages in India are different from the towns and cities, both in terms of their physical structure (land-uses) and cultural base (social relationships. The village develops over three stages involving primary, secondary-tertiary, and social sector; while for planning the village five steps will have to be followed: formulation of objectives, construction of database, preparation of inventory and thematic maps, studying the development status, and evolving the village development plan. The planning of villages situated in a metropolitan fringe requires special attention because the problems faced by them are peculiar and unique, unlike villages of other site and setting. In a fringe, the very identity of the village and its people are at stake. B. Srivastava and R. Ramachandran have theorized the process of transformation of villages and its absorption into the metropolis over six stages: rural, rural-urban linkage, transformation of occupation, change of land-use, urban, and urban village redevelopment. M. C. K. Swamy and R. L. P. Sinha felt that the principal issue faced by a fringe village is protection of its prime agricultural land from being converted into urban land uses, which are usually unauthorized, haphazard and spotty. While formation of the fringe around metropolitan cities might seem inevitable and a necessary evil, L. R. Vagale has suggested establishment of unified authority, zoning regulations, legal restrictions, and alternative site strategy to protect the villages situated in the metropolitan fringe. 2.
NAJAFGARH BLOCK
2.1
SELECTION
Najafgarh Block of National Capital Territory of Delhi was selected as the case study area (see Fig. 1). The selection was made because of the following two reasons: 1.
Najafgarh Block is the largest of the five community development blocks comprising rural areas of Delhi, in terms of population, area and number of rural settlements. As per the 1991 census, Najafgarh Block had a population of 493,920 spread over an area 302.43 sq.km and distributed in 75 rural settlements. Thus Najafgarh Block contains 27%, 31% and 32% of rural Delhi’s population, area and rural settlements respectively.
2.
Najafgarh Block is the ‘least urbanized’ of the five community development blocks. When in 1861, the rural areas of Delhi were constituted into 370 villages, 85 of them fell under the jurisdiction of what is presently the Najafgarh Block (created in 1952). In the past one century (1891-1991), while 132 of Delhi’s 370 villages were urbanized (36%); only ten of Najafgarh Block’s 85 villages were urbanized during the same period (12%). Consequent to the urbanization of 132 villages, the relative proportion of rural settlements in Najafgarh Block actually increased from 23% in 1891 (85 of 370) to 32% in 1991 (75 of 238). Thus, in 1991 Najafgarh Block contained a third of Delhi’s rural settlements.
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Fig. 1: Case Study Area: NCT Delhi – Najafgarh Block and Mitraon Village
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2.2
DATABASE AND SOURCE
Data and information for Najafgarh Block were collected on the following three aspects for each of the 75 constituent rural settlements: 1.
Population Total population in the census years 1961, 1971, 1981 and 1991. Male and Female Population in the census year 1991. Literate and Illiterate Population (among 7+ years age population) in the census year 1991. Working (main and marginal workers) and Non-Working Population in the census year 1991. Occupational Structure of the Main-Workers by Sectors (primary, secondary and tertiary) in the census year 1991.
2.
Area Total Area in the census year 1991. Land use by categories (cultivated, wasteland and not cultivated) in the census year 1991.
3.
Infrastructures Water Supply Sources in the census year 1991: tank, well, and tap. Electricity Supply for Purposes in the census year 1991: domestic, agricultural, and industrial. Transport Facilities in the census year 1991: road stop, and rail station. Communication Facilities in the census year 1991: post office, and telephone. Health Facilities in the census year 1991: dispensary, primary health sub-centre, primary health centre, and hospital. Educational Facilities in the census year 1991: primary school, middle school, secondary school, and senior secondary school. Financial Facilities in the census year 1991: credit cooperative, and bank. Commercial Facilities in the census year 1991: weekly market, and daily market.
All the above data and information were obtained from secondary sources. The Registrar General and Census Commissioner of India publish the ‘District Census Handbook’ for Delhi, which comprises two parts: village and town directory; and primary census abstract. The District Census Handbooks of the census years 1961, 1971, 1981 and 1991 were referred, to obtain the requisite data and information. On the basis of the analysis of the above data, following patterns have emerged. 2.3
GROWTH OF POPULATION IN RURAL SETTLEMENTS, 1961-1991
The aggregated population characteristics of Najafgarh Block in the previous four censuses – 1961, 1971, 1981 and 1991 are presented in Table 1. Table 1: Najafgarh Block – Population Characteristics, 1961 – 1991 Population Characteristics 1961 1971 1981 Population Size (number) 71,955 113,147 203,742 Population Growth Rate (Annual) 4.63% 6.06% Population Density (persons/sq km) 238 374 674 Proportion of Delhi’s Total Population 2.71% 2.78% 3.28% Proportion of Delhi’s Rural population 24.05% 27.03% 20.83%
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1991 493,920 9.26% 1,633 5.24% 27.15%
The emerging trends of population growth in Najafgarh Block are as follows: 1.
There is a gradual increase in the concentration of population in fewer number of settlements as indicated by the following facts: (i) Palam, which was the largest rural settlement of Najafgarh Block in all the four censuses, represented 6% of Najafgarh Block’s population in 1961, 15% in 1971, 17% in 1981, and 20% in 1991. Thus, in 1991, one settlement – Palam, accommodated a fifth of Najafgarh Block’s population. (ii) If the population of ten largest rural settlements of Najafgarh Block in each census is aggregated, they represented 39% of Najafgarh Block’s population in 1961, 43% in 1971, 53% in 1981 and 69% in 1991. Hence, in 1991, the ten largest settlements contained over a third of Najafgarh Block’s population. (iii) The number of rural settlements having at least half of Najafgarh Block’s population has considerably decreased over the years. In 1961, 16 settlements comprised 50% of the block’s population, which decreased to 14 settlements in 1971, nine settlements in 1981, and only four settlements in 1991.
2.
There is a progressive enlargement in the population size of the settlements, as indicated by the following facts: (i) The average population of the rural settlements of Najafgarh Block in 1961 was 959, which increased to 1,509 in 1971, 2,717 in 1981 and 6,583 in 1991. Palam, which has been the largest rural settlement in all the censuses, had a population of 4,609 in 1961, 16,730 in 1971, 34,378 in 1981 and 98,975 in 1991. In 1991, the population was nearing 100,000. (ii) The distribution of settlements by size classes is given in Table 2. The number of ‘large’ settlements increased from nil in 1961 to ten in 1991, while the ‘small’ settlements decreased from 44 in 1961 to 13 in 1991.
Table 2: Najafgarh Block – Rural Settlements by Population Size Class, 1961 – 1991 Number of Rural Settlements Population Size Class 1961 1971 1981 1991 Large Above 10,000 1 2 10 Medium 1,000 – 9,999 25 34 47 46 Small 1 – 999 44 34 20 13 Uninhabited 0 6 6 6 6 Total 75 75 75 75 3.
There is a gradual tendency of the larger rural settlements to be located closer to Delhi City. In 1961 and 1971 the ten largest rural settlements were evenly distributed through out Najafgarh Block. Palam was the only settlement among the ten to be situated adjacent to Delhi City. Four settlements were located towards the northern margin of the block: Jharoda Kalan, Dichaon Kalan, Kair and Mitraon. Two settlements each were located in the western and southern margins of the block: Dhansa and Isapur; and Bijwasan and Shahabad Mohammadpur respectively. One settlement – Chhawla was located in the centre. There was a gradual shift in the position of large rural settlements in 1981, whereby only Dhansa remained in the list of top ten largest rural settlements. By 1991, the picture had completely changed with eight of the ten largest settlements located adjacent to Delhi City: Palam, Nasirpur, Bindapur, Hastsal, Nawada, Matiala, Mirzapur and Dabri. The two other settlements: Roshanpura and Jharoda Kalan were bordering Najafgarh Town. Thus, the vast expanse of Najafgarh Block did not have any ‘large’ rural settlement.
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2.4
ZONES OF URBAN INFLUENCE IN RURAL SETTLEMENTS, 1991
For determining the zones of urban influence (of Delhi City) in the rural areas (of Najafgarh Block) a composite index was calculated for all the rural settlements of Najafgarh Block. The procedure is explained below: Step 1:
Selection of Indicators: Seven indicators were selected for determining the composite index. These are as follows: Population Growth Rate, 1981-91 Population Density, 1991 Sex Ratio, 1991 (Males per 1000 Females) Literacy Rate, 1991 Work Force Participation Rate (WFPR), 1991 Proportion of Main-Workers in Non-Primary Activities (PMNA), 1991. Proportion of Land-Area under Non-Cultivable Uses (PLNU), 1991.
Step 2:
Calculation of Location Quotient (LQ): The LQ is determined by dividing the figure of each indicator of each rural settlement by the figure of the same indicator of Najafgarh Block. There are three intrinsic benefits of calculating the LQ: The LQ standardizes all figures irrespective of their size by making them scale free. The LQ facilitates performance of various mathematical operations, especially addition. The LQ indicates the ratio-proportion of the individual settlement’s index in relation to the block’s index.
Step 3:
Determination of Composite Index: Using the above methodology, seven sets of LQ were determined for each rural settlement. All the seven LQ figures for each rural settlement were aggregated; and averaged by dividing the aggregate LQ figure by 7 (as the number of indices is seven). The average LQ figure of each settlement is designated as its composite index.
The rural settlements of Najafgarh Block were grouped into three broad categories, according to their composite index: (i) High : Composite Index above 1.4 (ii) Medium : Composite Index between 0.7 and 1.39 (iii) Low : Composite Index below 0.69 Of the 69 inhabited rural settlements in Najafgarh Block, 11 settlements have high composite index, 21 have medium, and 37 settlements have low composite index. The emerging spatial pattern actually reflects the combined impact of the seven indices from which the composite index is derived. The rural settlements with highest composite index occur in a broad belt flanking Delhi City and Najafgarh Town. While the rural settlements with lowest composite index are situated in the margins of Najafgarh Block, farthest from Delhi City; the settlements with medium composite index occur in between the high and low composite indices. The categorization of rural settlements into three broad groups of composite index aids in delineating the zones of urban influence (of Delhi City) in the rural areas (of Najafgarh Block) (see Fig. 2). The rural settlements with high composite index have maximum urban influence, which is designated as the inner zone (10 settlements); while the rural settlements with low composite index have minimum urban influence, which is designated as the outer zone (40 settlements). The rural settlements with medium composite index are designated as the intermediate zone (25 settlements).
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Table 3 gives the distribution of population, area, rural settlements and some population indicators of Najafgarh Block by types of zones. Table 3: Najafgarh Block – Population Indicators by Zones, 1991 Indicators Z-1 Z-2 Population Size 320,730 100,562 Area (sq km) 35 114 Rural Settlements 10 25 Pop. Growth Rate 15% 5% Pop. Density (persons/sq km) 9,200 885 Non-Primary Activities 99% 77% Non-Agricultural Land-uses 75% 36%
Z-3 72,628 154 40 2% 470 57% 16%
TOTAL 493,920 303 75 9% 1,630 89% 30%
The inner zone (Z-1) comprising ten settlements have been completely urbanized, and are likely to be absorbed into the urban limit of Delhi City by 2001. The 40 rural settlements of the outer zone (Z-3) are likely to remain rural and retain their original rural character at least till 2021. The rest of the 25 rural settlements of the intermediate zone (Z-2) are in varying stages of rural to urban transformation and each settlement may be urbanized any time during the 20 year period, i.e. 2001-2021. These projections of future land-use are based purely on the trends indicated by the 1991 data. Planning interventions by DDA can alter these trends. 2.5
LEVELS OF FUNCTIONAL HIERARCHY OF RURAL SETTLEMENTS, 1991
For determining the levels of functional hierarchy of rural settlements, a composite point of each rural settlement of Najafgarh Block was determined. The procedure is explained below: Step 1:
Selection of Functions: Eight infrastructural functions were selected for determining the composite points. These are as follows: Water Supply Source, 1991 Electricity Supply Uses, 1991 Transport Link, 1991 Communication Link, 1991 Health Services, 1991 Educational Services, 1991 Financial Services, 1991 Commercial Services, 1991
Step 2:
Calculation of Points: The availability of each infrastructural function occurs at various levels in the rural settlements. Each settlement is assigned point(s) for each infrastructural function as per the Numerical Rating Scale given in Table 4.
Step 3:
Determination of Composite Points: Using Table 4, each settlement obtains eight sets of points. The points obtained by each rural settlement of Najafgarh Block is aggregated; and averaged by dividing the aggregate points by 8 (as the number of functions is eight). This gives the composite point of each rural settlement.
The rural settlements of Najafgarh Block are grouped into three broad categories, according to their composite points: (i) High : Composite Points above 1.3 (ii) Medium : Composite Points between 0.9 and 1.29 (iii) Low : Composite Points below 0.89
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Fig. 2: Najafgarh Block – Zones of Urban Influence, 1991
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Table 4: Najafgarh Block – Numerical Rating Scale Points 0.5 1 Water Supply Tank Well Electricity Supply Domestic Agriculture Transport Road Stop Communication Post Office Health Dispensary PHS Education Primary Middle Financial Credit Coop. Commercial Weekly Market
1.5 PHC Secondary -
2 Tap Industry Rail Station Phone Hospital Sr. Secondary Bank Daily Market
Of the 69 inhabited rural settlement in Najafgarh Block, 15 settlements lie in the highest level of functional hierarchy, 23 settlements in the middle level and 31 settlements lie in the lowest level of functional hierarchy (see Fig. 3). The functional hierarchy indicates the relative rank and growth potential of each rural settlement, vis-à-vis each other. The settlements at high level have abundant infrastructural facilities for its population making their life comfortable and easy; while settlements at low level have deficient infrastructural facilities for its population making their life difficult and stressed. In Najafgarh Block the settlements of high functional hierarchy are located either near Delhi City, or along the Major District Road connecting Delhi City to Dhansa Village. The rural settlements of medium and low functional hierarchy are evenly distributed away from Delhi City, and away from major arteries. Though, a low functional hierarchy may mean that the population is stressed, but this may not always be true. If a settlement with low functions is surrounded with those of medium and high functions, than people of former have a wide choice in accessing neighboring settlements to obtain higher functions. 2.6
STAGES OF TRANSFORMATION OF RURAL SETTLEMENTS, 1991-2021
Delhi Development Authority (DDA) is the sole authority in charge of planned development of NCT of Delhi. Since over 80% of Delhi’s population and 40% of Delhi’s area is urban, the planned development in Delhi has an urban bias. To achieve its objective, the DDA from time to time acquires rural lands for establishing residential colonies, commercial centers, industrial estates, institutional areas and a variety of infrastructural facilities and amenities. The ‘developed’ area is then handed over to Municipal Corporation of Delhi (MCD) for future governance and administration, which than notifies it as ‘urban’. Ever since the process of urbanization by DDA/MCD was accelerated in the 1980s, the rural area of Delhi has been rapidly shrinking. Among the three major urban extensions proposed by DDA in the rural areas of NCT of Delhi, the largest is Dwarka (Papankala) sub-city located exclusively in Najafgarh Block. Spread over an area of 56 sq km, the sub-city is being developed to house a population of over one million by 2011. The sub-city includes an area bounded by Najafgarh Nala towards west, Delhi – Jaipur railway line towards east; Najafgarh Block’s boundary with Delhi City (as in 1991) and Pankha Road towards north, and northern boundary of Bijwasan Village towards south. The DDA has developed an elaborate criterion for classifying rural settlements according to their stage of transformation from rural to urban. This not only helps in projecting the availability of rural area at a certain point of time but also helps in applying adequate planning intervention to the villages to prevent speculation, and unplanned and unauthorized development. Page 10 of 18
Fig. 3: Najafgarh Block – Levels of Functional Hierarchy, 1991
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The three stages of transformation are: 1.
Urban Stage – The villages in this stage are likely to remain rural only till 2001, and may be urbanized during the period 2001-2006. Many of the villages of this stage have either already been urbanized, with the village abadi (Settlement area) now designated as an ‘urban village’; or is proposed for improvement under various renewal and redevelopment schemes. Presently in Najafgarh Block the 10 rural settlements of inner zone belong to urban stage.
2.
Transitional Stage – This stage comprises following three sub-stages:a)
b)
c)
Post-Transitional Stage – The villages in this stage are likely to remain rural at least till 2006, and may be urbanized during the period 2006-2011. Presently in Najafgarh Block, five of the 25 rural settlements of intermediate zone lying adjacent to the inner zone belong to the post-transitional stage. Transitional Stage – The villages in this stage are likely to remain rural at least till 2011, and may be urbanized during the period 2011-2016. Presently in Najafgarh Block, ten of the 25 rural settlements of intermediate zone (lying between pre-transitional and post-transitional settlements) belong to the transitional stage. Pre-Transitional Stage – The villages in this stage are likely to remain rural at least till 2016, and may be urbanized during the period 2016-2021. Presently in Najafgarh Block, 10 of the 25 rural settlements of intermediate zone lying adjacent to the outer zone belong to the pre-transitional stage.
3.
Rural Stage – The villages in this stage are likely to remain rural at least till 2021. These villages are designated as ecologically fragile – green areas of Delhi, which are to be conserved and preserved, and not allowed to be urbanized ever. Presently in Najafgarh Block, the 40 rural settlements of outer zone belong to the rural stage.
2.7
SUMMARY
The settlement system of Najafgarh Block has been analyzed with respect of following four aspects. The growth of population in the rural settlements (1961 to 1991) indicates gradual increase in the concentration of population in fewer numbers of rural settlements, progressive enlargement in the size of rural settlement, and gradual tendency of large rural settlements to be located closer to Delhi City. The 75 settlements of Najafgarh Block are classified by size as: large (10), medium (46) and small (19). The zones of urban influence of Delhi City in the rural settlements of Najafgarh Block (in 1991), was determined with the aid of the composite index, which is based on seven indicators. This index helps in categorizing the rural settlements of Najafgarh Block into three zones of urban influence: inner, intermediate and outer zones. The rural settlements of inner zone have been completely urbanized, while the rural settlements of outer zone have still retained their rural character despite being located in the metropolitan region of Delhi City. The 75 settlements of Najafgarh Block are classified by zone as: inner (10), intermediate (25) and outer (40). The levels of functional hierarchy of rural settlements of Najafgarh Block (in 1991), was determined with the aid of composite points, which is determined on the basis of availability/non-availability of eight infrastructural functions. The composite points accumulated by each rural settlement helps in categorizing them into three levels of functional hierarchy: high, medium and low levels. The rural settlements with high functional hierarchy indicate satisfactory availability of infrastructural facilities, compared to rural Page 12 of 18
settlements with low functional hierarchy. The 75 settlements of Najafgarh Block are classified by levels as: high (15), medium (23) and low (37). The DDA has developed a criterion for classifying the rural settlements of NCT of Delhi according to their stage of transformation from urban to rural: urban, transitional and rural. The DDA has proposed an urban extension in Najafgarh Block: Dwarka (Papankala) SubCity to house a population of one million in 2011. This will reduce Najafgarh Block’s area and number of rural settlements by one-third. 3.
MITRAON VILLAGE
3.1
SELECTION
The three largest villages in the outer zone of Najafgarh Block are: a) On the basis of population (1991 census) – Dhansa (5,360), Mitraon (4,455), and Isapur (4,113). b) On the basis of Area – Isapur (9.87 sq. km), Mitraon (8.74 sq. km), and Dhansa (8.56 sq. km) Dhansa is the largest in terms of population but third in area, while Isapur is the largest in terms of area but third in population. Mitraon Village is second both in terms of population and area. Thus, Mitraon was selected as the case study village. Further, Mitraon has two situational advantages, compared to Dhansa and Isapur: (i) Mitraon Village is situated in the centre of Najafgarh Block, while Dhansa and Isapur Villages are situated in the western margin bordering Haryana. (ii) Mitraon Village is situated adjacent to Najafgarh Town (about 2 km), which gives it a functional advantage compared to any other village of outer zone. 3.2
EXISTING LAND USE PLAN, 1991
Mitraon is a large hexagonal shaped village, situated southwest of Najafgarh Town. With a land area of 8.74 sq. km (874 hectares), it is the sixth largest village of Najafgarh Block, and the second largest of the outer zone. The village has a maximum east-west extent of 3.5 km and north-south extent of 2.75 km. The land-uses by four principal categories in the past three censuses are given below: Table 5: Mitraon Village – Revenue Area Land-use, 1971 – 1991 Land Use 1971 1981 Ha % Ha % 1. Farmland – irrigated 476 54.5 411 47.0 2. Farmland – rainfed 245 28.0 227 26.0 3. Wasteland, Pastures, 35 4.0 83 9.5 Groves and Water Bodies 4. Settlement Area 118 13.5 153 17.5 TOTAL 874 100.0 874 100.0 Source: Delhi, District Census Handbook, 1971, 1981 and 1991
1991 Ha 376 214
% 43.0 24.5
113
13.0
171 874
19.5 100.0
The proportion of revenue area under farmlands (combining both irrigated and rainfed) has decreased significantly from 82.5% in 1971 to 67.5% in 1991. The proportion of wastelands, pastures, groves and water bodies has increased three-fold from 4% in 1971 to 13% in 1991, while the settlement area has increased gradually from 13.5% in 1971 to 19.5% in 1991.
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The settlement area of Mitraon village is 1.71 sq.km (171 ha) as per the 1991 census. The land-use by categories in 1990-91 is given below. Comparable data for years 1970-71 and 1980-81 is not available. Table 6: Mitraon Village – Settlement Area Land-use, 1990-91 Land Use Area (ha) A. Built-up/Covered 1. Residential 121.0 2. Movement Channels 16.5 3. Infrastructure 7.5 4. Commercial 2.0 B. Vacant 5. Natural Vegetation 15.0 6. Bare Ground 9.0 TOTAL 171.0 Source: Mitraon Village Revenue Records, 1990-91.
Area (%) 70.7 9.7 4.4 1.3 8.7 5.2 100.0
Over 70% of the settlement area is devoted to residential uses, while less than a tenth is under movement channels. The infrastructural and commercial uses cover about 6% of the settlement area. Vacant open spaces, either bare or covered with wild natural vegetation, form nearly a seventh of the settlement area. These spaces are hierarchical and have multiple uses: smaller ones are used as playground and larger ones are used for organizing fairs, marriages and other public functions. 3.3
PROPOSED LAND USE PLAN, 2021
The present land use pattern (as in 1996) of Mitraon Village will be transformed significantly by 2021, if the various developmental proposals are implemented: Table 7: Mitraon Village – Land Use Pattern, 1996 and 2021 Area (in ha) 1996 2021
Land Uses A. Field Area A1. Farmlands A1 (a) Irrigated A1 (b) Rain-fed / Un-irrigated A2. Wastelands A3. Silvi-pastures A4. Green Belt / Social Forests A5. Natural-water Reservoir B. Settlement Area B1. Plots B1 (a) Residential B1 (b) Institutional B1 (c) Commercial B1 (d) Industrial B1 (e) Dairy B1 (f) Recreational B1 (g) Vacant B2. Movement Channels TOTAL
614.0 501.0 376.0 125.0 113.0 260.0 243.5 121.0 7.5 2.0 41.0 48.0 24.0 16.5 874.0
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614.0 501.0 501.0 35.0 60.0 18.0 260.0 242.5 121.0 11.0 2.5 41.0 48.0 19.0 17.5 874.0
Fig. 4: Mitraon Village – Revenue Area Land-use, 1991 (existing)
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Fig. 5: Mitraon Village – Revenue Area Land-use, 2001 (proposed)
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During the intervening period of quarter of a century, between 1996 and 2021, the land area under two principal categories – field area and settlement area, is proposed to be kept constant – 614 ha and 260 ha respectively. This will prevent the expansion of the settlement area into the field area, especially the farmlands. Within the field area, the area under farmlands is to be kept constant at 501 ha, though all the farmlands are to be brought under irrigation by 2021, to increase the productivity. Further, the wastelands covering 113 ha of land in 1996, is proposed to be used for silvipastures (35 ha), green belt / social forest (60 ha), and natural water reservoir (18 ha) in 2021. Within the settlement area, the area under three major uses – residential (121 ha), dairy (48 ha), and industrial (41 ha), will remain same between 1996 and 2021. The vacant plots covering 24 ha of land in 1996 will cease to exist. The greater part of it will be diverted towards recreational uses – parks (12 ha) and playgrounds (7 ha). This will not only provide formal recreational facilities to the people of Mitraon Village, but also contribute to greening of the village settlement area. The rest of the vacant plot is proposed to be used for – institutional (3.5 ha), commercial (0.5 ha) and movement channels (1 ha). The institutional area will increase from 7.5 ha to 11 ha due to the establishment of following eight proposed facilities: (i) Water Tanks (0.5 ha) for supplying water. (ii) Garbage Store (0.5 ha). (iii) Biogas Plants (0.5 ha) for supplying energy. (iv) Refrigerated Storage (0.5 ha) for storing perishable horticultural products like milk, vegetables and fruits. (v) School (0.5 ha) – An additional higher-secondary school will be required in 2021 to accommodate the increased number of students. (vi) Community Center (0.5 ha) – The community center will also have a bank and post and telegraph office. (vii) Dispensary (0.25 ha) – This will be required as there are no health facilities in Mitraon Village. (viii) Veterinary Hospital (0.25 ha) will be needed to cater to the 3,000 heads of cattle in the dairy by 2021. The commercial area will increase from 2 ha to 2.5 ha as a new and formal shopping center (0.5 ha) will be needed to provide shopping facilities to the people. The area under movement channels will increase from 16.5 ha to 17.5 ha as a new bus stand-cum-depot (1 ha) is proposed. 3.4
SUMMARY
The land-use plan aims at eco-friendly and ‘economic’ utilization of 113 ha of wastelands, and 24 ha of vacant plots (within the settlement) in the year 2021. The wasteland will be diverted for silvi-pastures (35 ha), green belt (60 ha), and reservoir (18 ha); while the vacant plots will be used for recreational (19 ha), institutional (3.5 ha), commercial (0.5 ha), and movement channels (1 ha).
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REFERENCES 1. 2. 3. 4.
5. 6. 7. 8. 9. 10. 11. 12. 13. 14. 15. 16. 17.
Delhi Administration (1985) – Mini Master Plan for Integrated Development of Urban and Rural Villages in Delhi, DA, New Delhi. Delhi Development Authority (1981) – Master Plan of Delhi 2001, DDA, New Delhi. Dube S. C. (1958) – India’s Changing Villages: Human Factors in Community Development, Routledge and Kegen Paul Limited, London. Friedmann J. and Douglass M. (1978) – “Agropolitan Development: Towards a New Strategy for Regional Planning in Asia” in Fu-chen Lo and K. Salih (eds.), Growth Pole Strategy and Regional development Policy, Pergamon Press, Oxford. p. 180. Gupta R. G. (1996) – Integrated Development of Rural Areas of Delhi, ITPI Workshop, New Delhi. Gurmukhi K. T. (1996) – Mini Master Plan for Rural Delhi, ITPI Workshop, New Delhi. Johnson E. A. J. (1970) – The Organization of Space in Developing Countries, Harvard University Press Cambridge, Massachusetts. pp. 161-162. National Capital Region Planning Board (1985) – National Capital Region Plan, 2001, NCRPB, New Delhi. pp. 28-33. Rondinelli D. A. and Ruddle K. (1978) - Urbanization and Rural Development: A Spatial Policy for Equitable Growth, Praeger New York. p. 181. Sen A. (1994) - Rural Development Policy for Delhi Metropolitan Area: 2011, SPA Thesis New Delhi. Singh H. B. (1996) – Planning for Village Development in the Context of Constitutional Amendments: A Conceptual Approach, 44th NTCP Congress, New Delhi. pp. 5-8. Singh H. B. (1996) – Planning Imperatives for Development in Rural Areas of NCT of Delhi, ITPI Workshop, New Delhi. Singh S. (1996) – Critical Areas in Implementing Mini Master Plan for Rural Delhi, ITPI Workshop, New Delhi. Sinha R. L. P. (1997) – “Urban Fringe – Approaches and Policy Options” in ITPI Journal, Vol. 15, No. 1-4 [167-170] June 1997, New Delhi. Srivastava B. and Ramachandran R. (1974) – “The Rural – Urban Fringe” in The Indian Geographical Journal, Vol. XLIX, No. 1, June 1974). pp. 2-5. Swamy M. C. K. (1992) – Environment Management Issues of Fringe Area Development, 40th NTCP Congress, Pune. Vagale L. R. (1992) – Fringe Areas of Metropolitan Cities: Planning Issues and Development Potentials, 40th NTCP Congress, Pune.
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