AGRA: Following a TOI report on the restructuring of the eco-sensitive Yamuna ravines around 800 metres away from the iconic Taj Mahal, the Agra district magistrate (DM) directed the forest department to stop the work and sought a report from the district forest officer (DFO).
The DM claimed that the forest department had not shared any information with the district administration regarding the work in the eco-sensitive zone. DFO Akhilesh Pandey refused to comment on the matter.
Earthmovers were being used to dig up the soil and to level the land behind the Taj nature walk park. Locals claimed that large-scale "illegal soil mining" was taking place in the area. Environmentalists alleged that local authorities were trying to "systematically destroy" the ravines to help land sharks and builders. The DFO had earlier said that he was unaware of the work being done in the area. City ranger Ramgopal Singh Chauhan had said that the work being done in the Yamuna ravines was aimed at conserving rainwater.
TOI had discovered that no permission had been taken from the Taj Trapezium Zone (TTZ) authorities to carry out the work in the eco-sensitive zone. TTZ is a defined area of 10,400 sq km around the Taj Mahal to protect the monument from pollution.
DM Prabhu N Singh said, "There was no information shared by the forest department regarding work being done in the Yamuna ravines. Taking cognisance of the TOI report, the work has been stopped. I have asked the DFO to provide a detailed report on the work being done in the eco-sensitive zone. On the basis of the report, further investigation will be carried out in the entire matter".
Agra-based doctor and environmental activist Sharad Gupta said, "It is a welcome move as the work being carried out by the forest department was in violation of NGT orders and the Wildlife Conservation Act, 1972. Yamuna ravines are home to rare species of birds, snakes, lizards, butterflies, and other animals. Cows and buffaloes from nearby areas come for grazing there as well. Restructuring the ravine would bring destruction to the natural habitat. Besides, dust blow caused by the operation of the earthmovers nearby the Taj Mahal would result in pollution, affecting the monument."
