SC pulls up UP govt over failing to plant trees in Taj Trapezium

The Supreme Court on Wednesday pulled up the Uttar Pradesh government for “losing steam” on its assurance to plant 10 lakh saplings in six districts falling within the Taj Trapezium zone.

A bench of Chief Justice T S Thakur and Justice C Nagappan also questioned Additional Advocate General Gaurav Bhatia over the failure of the state government to file a report indicating the number of trees planted and preparation made for the purpose.

The law officer, on his part, submitted that as many as 6.23 lakh saplings had already been planted in districts of Agra, Mathura, Aligarh, Kasganj, Hathras and Firozabad.

The state government was to submit quarterly report on the development. As the law officer submitted that further action would be taken soon, the bench said: “This is the right time to carry out all preparations. You have to dig out pits. If you plant the saplings in April and May, those will not survive.” The state government is required to plant the saplings as compensatory afforestations measures for felling of 30,000 trees under different schemes in last 19 years. Meanwhile, the court directed for use of sand stones in three connecting 500-meter roads to the 17 th century monument.