Without our nods, there would be no trees that fell within 5 kilometers of the Taj Mahal: SC
The Supreme Court reiterated its 2015 directive restricting trees within 5 km of cut down, within aerial distance of the Taj Mahal in Agra, without nodding. Bharatpur region of Rajasthan.
Justices Abhay S Oka and Ujjal Bhuyan said trees cut down in the TTZ area within 5 km of the historic monument will require prior permission from the Department Forest Official (DFO) of the Central Authorized Commission (CEC), who will be subject to the provisions of the Up Up Tree Preserting Act.
“The original order involving areas within 5 km of the Taj Mahal, dated May 8, 2015, will continue to operate. In this case, an application must be applied to seek permission to allow fallen trees, even if the trees are less than 50 years old. The court will also seek advice from the Central Authorization Commission, and the advice of trees will be considered thereafter,” Baines said. ”
It added: “Unless there is serious tree deforestation, the zoning forest officials must impose a condition that actual tree deforestation can only be completed after all other conditions comply with all other conditions including compensatory afforestation.” The DFO or CEC was first directed to ensure compliance with prescribed conditions before allowing tree deforestation.
“We clearly show that human life can be lost only in the sense of severe urgency in falling trees, without immediate action on trees,” the bench said. The court further sought a report from the CEC, pointing out whether any other restrictions should be imposed on the protection of two other World Heritage structures, namely Agra Fort and Fatehpur Sikri.
Meanwhile, the court rejected another request from the Agra-based trust, which seeks the condition to obtain approval for private land to relax. The area of TTZ is approximately 10,400 km in the UP and Bharatpur regions of Rajasthan is spread throughout the Agra, Firozabad, Mathura, Hathras and Etah regions.
The Supreme Court stipulated in its May 8 order that tree deforestation may not occur in TTZ without the court’s prior approval, a measure designed to curb deforestation and protect biodiversity in the region. On December 11, 2019, the Supreme Court amended the order, removing the requirement for prior permission to cut trees on non-forest and private lands within the TTZ.
