Taj Trapezium Zone
Taj Trapezium Zone | |
|---|---|
Environmental protection zone | |
The Taj Mahal, the central monument protected within the zone. | |
| Nickname: TTZ | |
| Country | India |
| States | Uttar Pradesh, Rajasthan |
| Divisions | Agra division, Bharatpur division |
| Notified | December 30, 1996 |
| Government | |
| • Governing body | Taj Trapezium Zone Authority |
| Area | |
• Total | 10,400 km2 (4,000 sq mi) |
| Time zone | UTC+5:30 (IST) |
| Website | www |
Taj Trapezium Zone is a trapezium-shaped protected area covering 10,400-square-kilometre (4,000 sq mi) around Agra, India consisting of three Mughal-era World Heritage Sites—Taj Mahal, Agra Fort, and Fatehpur Sikri—and over 40 other monuments of national and cultural significance.[1][2] The area covers parts of Uttar Pradesh and Rajasthan states in India, including of Agra, Firozabad, Mathura, Vrindavan, Hathras and Bharatpur.[3][4]
The zone was established in 1996 following a landmark decision by Supreme Court of India in M. C. Mehta v. Union of India & Ors. to protect the Taj Mahal from industrial pollution,[5] where the court banned the use of coke or coal for industries operating within this zone and established a regulatory oversight.[6] Over the years, Supreme Court has continued to judicially protect Taj Trapezium Zone,[7] ruling to limit tree felling,[8] construction, industrial expansion,[9] and imposing financial penalties in many cases.[10][11]
The Taj Trapezium Zone Pollution (Prevention and Control) Authority, a statutory body established under the ruling continues to monitor compliance and implementation of various schemes and subsequent court rulings for protection of Taj Mahal and environmental issues within the zone.[12]
History
Taj Trapezium Zone was constituted following Supreme Court's order in 1996 in the case of M.C. Mehta v. Union of India & Ors. This decision was in response to a Public Interest Litigation seeking to protect the Taj Mahal from environmental pollution. The Supreme Court’s directives included strict pollution control measures such as the closure or relocation of polluting industries, large-scale tree plantation, restrictions on vehicular movement, promotion of battery-operated vehicles, and bans on construction and mining activities near the monument.[13] Subsequently, the Central Government constituted the Taj Trapezium Zone Pollution (Prevention and Control) Authority in 1998 through a gazette notification (S.O. 350(E), dated May 13, 1998) under the Environment (Protection) Act, 1986.[1]
Overview
The Taj Trapezium Zone forms a trapezoid bounded on the west by the line from 26°45′N, 77°15′E to 27°45′N, 77°15′E and on the east by the line from 27°00′N, 78°30′E to 27°30′N, 78°30′E. It lies within the Agra Division of Uttar Pradesh and the Bharatpur Division of Rajasthan.[1] The area is divided into four zones based on types of industries: Orange, White, Red, and Green.
The zone contains following notable monuments:
References
- ^ a b c "Taj Trapezium Zone (TTZ)". ttzagra.com. Retrieved 2024-06-10.
- ^ "Why is the Taj Trapezium Zone and why is it called so?". The Times of India. 2008-05-04. Retrieved 2025-06-18.
- ^ "Toxons and the Taj". UNESCO. 30 April 1997. Archived from the original on 26 May 2008. Retrieved 7 February 2015.
- ^ PTI (2025-03-05). "Supreme Court asks FRI to conduct tree census in Taj Trapezium Zone". The Hindu. ISSN 0971-751X. Retrieved 2025-06-18.
- ^ "Haze over a trapezium". Frontline. 2010-01-14. Retrieved 2025-06-18.
- ^ "M.C. Mehta vs Union Of India & Ors on 30 December, 1996". indiankanoon.org. Retrieved 2025-06-10.
- ^ www.ETLegalWorld.com. "3 decades later, conditions in Taj Trapezium Zone worsen - ET LegalWorld". ETLegalWorld.com. Retrieved 2025-06-18.
- ^ "SC slaps up to ₹25k fine per tree for illegal felling in TTZ". The Times of India. 2025-05-16. Retrieved 2025-06-18.
- ^ "Supreme Court removes ban on industrial construction in Taj Trapezium Zone, Agra welcomes move". India Today. 2019-12-11. Retrieved 2025-06-18.
- ^ "How pollution, insects are threatening Taj Mahal, and what Supreme Court has said". The Indian Express. 2022-09-27. Retrieved 2025-06-18.
- ^ "Supreme Court fines Agra farmhouse Rs 17L for felling 17 trees in Taj Trapezium Zone; orders plantation of 340 saplings". The Times of India. 2025-04-05. ISSN 0971-8257. Retrieved 2025-06-18.
- ^ "Taj Trapezium Zone (TTZ)". ttzauthority.com. Retrieved 2025-06-18.
- ^ Jamal, Ummar (2025-03-19). "Supreme Court directs probe into tree felling in Taj Trapezium Zone". Bar and Bench - Indian Legal news. Retrieved 2025-06-22.