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The National Green Tribunal (NGT), Principal Bench in New Delhi, has issued notices to the Union Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change, the Government of Uttar Pradesh and other authorities on a plea alleging illegal tree felling, unauthorised construction and encroachments in environmentally sensitive areas around the Taj Mahal and along the Agra Gwalior Highway. The application highlights activities inside Shahjahan Park between the Taj Mahal and Agra Fort and on green belts along the highway that may violate environmental norms. The respondents have been asked to file replies within four weeks, and the matter is scheduled for further hearings in March.
The National Green Tribunal (NGT), Principal Bench in New Delhi, has taken cognisance of serious allegations regarding environmental damage in Agra's ecologically sensitive areas, especially around the Taj Mahal and along the Agra Gwalior Highway. It has issued notices to the Union Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change, the Government of Uttar Pradesh, the Uttar Pradesh Pollution Control Board, district officials, the Taj Trapezium Zone Authority and the Agra Development Authority to respond to the claims. Advertisement
The petition, filed by Jagan Prasad Tehriya, contends that the Agra Development Authority has been undertaking construction of kiosks, paved pathways and brick cement structures inside Shahjahan Park, a green area between the Taj Mahal and Agra Fort that is over a century old. It is alleged that pits were dug close to the roots of century old trees, destroying green cover and affecting the habitat of birds and butterflies.
The plea also raises concerns over a concrete structure being built by the Agra Municipal Corporation on the green belt ahead of Madhu Nagar on the Agra Gwalior Highway. It points to alleged encroachments and tree cutting by private individuals along mandatory green belts on both sides of the highway, and claims there have been instances of tree felling without prior permissions during metro construction works.
In support of the allegations, the applicant referred to a Supreme Court order from earlier last year in the M.C. Mehta case, which requires prior permission of the Supreme Court before any tree felling within a five kilometre aerial radius of the Taj Mahal, regardless of the number of trees involved. Photographs were reportedly placed on record to show damage to trees and greenery in the affected areas.
The Tribunal, presided over by Chairperson Justice Prakash Shrivastava and Expert Member Dr. A. Senthil Vel, noted that the application raises substantial issues relating to compliance with environmental norms. Notices were issued on an order dated late December, and all respondents have been directed to file their replies within four weeks. The case has been listed for further hearing later this year.
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