Taj Mahal Degradation of- Use of Coke\Coal by industries situated within the Taj Trapezium Zone (TTZ) emitting pollution and causing damage to the Taj as also people living in the area- Taj as also people living in the area- If natural gas as a substitute is not acceptable/available to such industries, they must stop functioning with the aid of coke/coal and may relocate themselves as per the directions of the Supreme Court.
The Taj, apart from being a cultural heritage by itself. More than two million tourists visit Taj every year. The emission generated by the coke/coal consuming industries is air pollutants and have damaging effect on the Taj and the people living in the Taj Trapezium Zone (TTZ). The "onus of proof" is on an industry to show that its operation with the aid of coke/coal is environmentally benign. The development and ecology must go together. Sustainable development is the answer. The pollution created as a consequence of development must be commensurate with the carrying capacity of our Eco-system. If natural gas as a substitute is not acceptable/available to such industries they must stop functioning with the aid of coke/coal and may relocate themselves as per directions of the Court. The "precautionary principle" and "polluter pays" are part of environmental law of the country.
[M.C.Mehta vs. Union of India. (1997) 1 SCC 353= AIR 1997 SC734 = 1997 All LJ 254 = 1997 Lab IC 667. {Kuldip Singh& Faizan Udddin {JJ]}
Further direction to close down the factories – Refusal to comply with the directions.
Foundaries which have not agreed to accept gas have to be closed down forthwith. Directed the Union of India to examine the experts reorts given in connection with the dismantling of the old Bridge and take a final decision in regard to the same [ M.C.Mehta vs Union of India. AIR 1999 SC 3192. S.Saghir Ahmad & M.Jagannadha Rao. (J&J)]