NGT Issues Notice On Illegal Construction, Tree Felling Near The Iconic Taj Mahal

The National Green Tribunal has acknowledged serious allegations of illegal tree felling, unauthorised construction, and encroachment in the ecologically sensitive Shahjahan Park near the iconic Taj Mahal in Agra, as well as along the Agra-Gwalior highway.

This issue was brought to light by a plea from resident Jagan Prasad Tehriya, who accused the Agra Development Authority of constructing kiosks, paved paths, and brick-concrete structures in the historical Shahjahan Park, located between the Taj Mahal and Agra Fort.

Tehriya provided photographs showing the destruction of the area’s green cover, arguing that these large-scale construction activities violate environmental norms in protected heritage and green zones. According to the applicant,

construction pits have been dug dangerously close to the roots of century-old trees, leading to the destruction of green cover, which could also harm the habitat of birds and butterflies in the area.

Shahjahan Park, a notable Mughal-era garden, is strategically located between the World Heritage sites of Agra Fort and Taj Mahal. It is part of the Taj Trapezium Zone (TTZ), a 10,400 sq km protected area around the Taj Mahal aimed at safeguarding the monument from pollution.

Eco-sensitive zones (ESZ) are also declared by the government around special ecosystems, protected areas, or natural sites to act as a “shock absorber”, transitioning from areas of high protection to areas with lower protection, and regulating certain activities without explicitly prohibiting them.

The applicant referenced a Supreme Court order from May 2025, which mandates that any tree felling within a 5-km aerial radius of the Taj Mahal requires permission from the court, regardless of the number of trees. The two-member principal bench of the National Green Tribunal (NGT), comprising Justice Prakash Shrivastava (chairperson) and Dr A Senthil Vel (expert member), took serious note of the allegations by observing that “the application raises a substantial issue relating to compliance with environmental norms”.

The plea also alleged that the Agra Municipal Corporation is illegally constructing a concrete structure for a “selfie point” on the green belt ahead of Madhu Nagar on Gwalior Road. Additionally, the applicant stated that numerous private individuals have cut trees and erected buildings on the mandatory green belt on both sides of the highway, and that L&T has indiscriminately cut trees without obtaining necessary permissions for Metro construction.

Given the seriousness of the matter, the NGT issued a notice to the Agra Development Authority requiring it to submit a reply within four weeks. The next hearing is scheduled for 12 March.