- The SC has permitted the UP govt to fell 697 trees in order the widen and make the road Agra-Shamshabad-Rajakhera Road, a road that connects to the Taj Mahal, wider.
- The project is estimated at Rs. 103.27 crore.
- Earlier an SC bench had asked the Central Empowered Committee to look to look into the issue as it was unable to decide whether to safeguard the trees or favour the devp project.
- The Committee then said that the project is in public interest and that there is no alternative other than felling the trees. This prompted the Bench to give its nod.
- The Court also directed planting 10 times the number of the trees felled in places identified by the State Forest Dept.
- It also said that a formal approval under the Forest Conservation Act, 1980 should be obtained and the net present value of the land should be deposited.
- Read at:http://www.thehindu.com/todays-paper/tp-national/tp-newdelhi/sc-gives-green-signal-to-cut-697-trees-for-wider-road-to-taj/article6243469.ece