The National Green Tribunal (NGT) directed the Uttar Pradesh (UP) government to ensure that no unauthorised construction activities are permitted and no trees cut in the eco-sensitive zone near the Taj Mahal.
The NGT directed the state government to conduct physical demarcation of the forest area and the green belt within 500 meters of the Taj Trapezium Zone.
The NGT also directed that the demarcation activity shall be executed in the presence of representative from Forest Survey of India (FSI) and National Environmental Engineering Research Institute (NEERI).
Background of the decision
The Tribunal’s direction came after perusing an inspection report by advocate MC Mehta, who was appointed as local commissioner to probe into the alleged illegal felling and sale of four thousand trees in the eco-sensitive zone in Agra.
The inspection report also said that builders have started raising huge constructions in these areas and even on the bank of river Yamuna.
