Authorities Under Fire for Negligence
2025.10.13 (Vrindavan Today News): In a shocking violation of the environmental protection laws within the Taj Trapezium Zone (TTZ), a green belt meant to safeguard the air quality around the Taj Mahal, 82 trees were found illegally cut in Mathura’s industrial area, Site-B Refinery, under the jurisdiction of the Uttar Pradesh State Industrial Development Authority (UPSIDA).
The incident, which took place in Park-6, has raised serious questions about official negligence and the repeated flouting of environmental regulations in the region. Authorities confirmed that several of the felled trees’ logs were also missing from the site, suggesting a possible timber smuggling nexus operating under the cover of authorized development.
According to Atul Tiwari, Regional Forest Officer, local residents informed the Forest Department on Saturday afternoon that trees had been continuously felled over the past three days. When the inspection team reached the site, they counted 82 stumps of freshly cut eucalyptus and vilayati babool (acacia) trees. Much of the timber had already been removed from the location.
The area in question—spanning roughly one bigha—had been officially allotted to BN Group on January 21, 2025, for the purpose of park maintenance. While part of the park was covered in grass and crops, the other portion was a dense plantation area. Despite this, neither UPSIDA officials nor the BN Group representatives intervened as the trees were felled in broad daylight.
Following a joint written complaint by the Forest Department and UPSIDA officials, Refinery Police registered a case on Sunday against BN Group, Hydra owner V.K. Upadhyay, and three unidentified persons. The investigation is being led by Circle Officer Shweta Verma, who stated that the inquiry is ongoing and that “appropriate legal action will be taken once all facts are established.”
Meanwhile, the Forest Department has filed an HTU (Illegal Tree Felling and Wildlife Protection Act) case and seized all remaining timber from the site. Efforts to contact representatives of BN Group have so far been unsuccessful.
UPSIDA to Cancel BN Group’s Allotment
In response to the growing outrage, C.K. Maurya, Regional Manager of UPSIDA, confirmed that the BN Group’s allotment for Park-6 would be cancelled on Monday. Senior officials have also been briefed about the incident. Maurya remarked, “This level of disregard for environmental responsibility will not be tolerated. UPSIDA will take strict action.”
Not the First Incident: A Pattern of Environmental Violations
This case is not an isolated one. Mathura district has witnessed several such episodes of large-scale deforestation under industrial or developmental pretexts.
In September 2024, a similar case at Dalmia Bagh on Chatikara Road drew national attention when 454 green trees were uprooted using JCB and Poklen machines. The Supreme Court of India intervened, imposing a fine of ₹4.54 crore (approximately USD 550,000) and ordering the plantation of 9,080 new trees as compensation.
Other regions such as Vrindavan, Govardhan, and Chatikara have also reported multiple instances of illegal tree cutting, despite the ecological sensitivity of these heritage zones that fall under TTZ restrictions.
The continuing violations underline systemic failures—ranging from bureaucratic inaction to possible collusion between contractors and officials. Environmentalists warn that these repeated transgressions threaten the fragile ecosystem of Braj, already burdened by unplanned industrial expansion and tourism pressure.
The Mathura tree-felling episode stands as yet another reminder of the widening gap between India’s environmental legislation and its enforcement. Despite TTZ regulations meant to preserve air quality around the Taj Mahal and neighboring towns, industrial apathy and administrative negligence continue to destroy protected green zones.
If unchecked, such incidents will not only scar the landscape of Braj but also deepen the crisis of environmental governance in India—where the loss of every tree in sacred land like Mathura carries ecological, spiritual, and cultural costs that cannot be easily replaced.
