Prepare plan to protect, preserve the Taj Mahal for next 400 years: SC

New Delhi: The Supreme Court on Friday directed the Uttar Pradesh government to prepare a comprehensive vision document and plan for the protection and preservation of Taj Mahal and the environment around it so that historic monument could be there for another 400 years and not just for a generation.

"In our opinion, a detailed and comprehensive vision document and plan with a futuristic perspective which can protect and preserve the Taj and its environs and indeed the Taj Trapezium Zone spread over six districts of Uttar Pradesh and district Bharatput in Rajasthan for a few hundred years at least should be prepared," said the bench of Justice Madan B. Lokur and Justice Deepak Gupta.

"This exercise will require expertise from all stake holders including those concerned with cultural heritage, historical heritage, environment and wild life, etc. etc. and, of course, prevention of pollution", the court said in its order.The bench termed as "ad hoc" the measures spelt out by the state government that are being taken or will be taken for the protection of the Taj Mahal and a clean environment around it.

The state government said that it had asked the School of Planning and Architecture to prepare the plan, but the court said this plan should involve experts in the field of culture, history, archaeology and other spheres.

As ASG Mehta told the court that November 27 communication by the Uttar Pradesh government says that the School of Planning and Architecture would prepare the plan in consultation with the stake holder, Justice Lokur quipped if stakeholder meant the "commissioner of Agra Division" and told him the court doesn't want a bureaucratic plan but a holistic plan addressing the diverse aspects relating to the monument's preservation and protection and the environment around it.

Pointing out that 70 per cent of the trees being planted were perishing, the court said: "When you don't have a plan and take ad hoc measures, then such things happen."Giving liberty to the School of Planning and Architecture to approach it for any clarification, the court directed the listing of the matter after eight weeks.