The Supreme Court on Wednesday mandated a comprehensive tree census in the Taj Trapezium Zone (TTZ) by appointing the Forest Research Institute (FRI), Dehradun. Justices Abhay Oka and N Kotiswar Singh emphasized the necessity of this census for enforcing penal provisions against environmental violations effectively in the region.
The TTZ, spanning approximately 10,400 square kilometers, includes parts of Agra, Firozabad, Mathura, Hathras, and Etah districts in Uttar Pradesh, as well as Bharatpur district in Rajasthan. This area is critically important due to its proximity to the Taj Mahal, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, making environmental preservation efforts there particularly significant.
The directive from the Supreme Court follows concerns about the unauthorized felling of trees within this zone, highlighting the need for a detailed and updated tree registry to prevent illegal activities and promote compliance with the UP Protection of Trees Act of 1976. The Act’s primary objective is tree protection, prohibiting their felling without ensuring proper regulatory oversight.
“This data can be made available through tree census. We direct the TTZ authority to appoint Forest Research Institute at Dehradun as an authority to carry out tree census of all existing trees in the area of TTZ. The formal order shall be passed within a week,” stated the bench during the proceedings.
The court’s insistence on a tree census underscores the broader environmental and heritage conservation challenges facing the TTZ, especially with ongoing development pressures. Previously, the court had also discussed the need for a vigilant mechanism to monitor the area and prevent any unauthorized tree felling, which could undermine the ecological balance and aesthetic value of the region surrounding the Taj Mahal.
In a separate but related hearing on October 14, the court had warned that it would order demolition and restoration of land or highways to their original status if its directives regarding compulsory afforestation in the TTZ were not followed.
