New Delhi, Feb. 12 -- Illegal tree felling in an area of 10,400 square kilometres around the Taj Mahal, known as the Taj Trapezium zone, will attract hefty fines of up to Rs.25,000 per tree, the Supreme Court held on Tuesday, acting on a recommendation by an expert panel proposing harsh measures to curb illegal cutting of trees in districts around the iconic monument as the existing law failed to provide a deterrent.

The expert panel -- Central Empowered Committee (CEC) -- assisting the court on environment issues, had informed the court about the reckless felling of 7,020 trees from 2015 till September 2024 (when the report was filed) as a cause of concern. To remedy this situation, the CEC recommended imposing hefty fines. Although, il...