AGRA, April 6 -- Permission norms for felling, pruning and cutting trees in the Taj Trapezium Zone (TTZ) have been simplified following Supreme Court relief in 2025 for areas beyond a 5-km radius of the Taj Mahal. Acting on these directions, the social forestry wing of the forest department has issued fresh guidelines to streamline procedures and promote agroforestry. According to a press statement from the District Information Office in Agra, the revised norms apply to areas beyond the 5-km aerial radius, where permission to fell, trim or cut specified species will be granted by the divisional director or a forest officer. "The government of India and the Uttar Pradesh government have been making efforts to promote social forestry and simplify procedures for tree felling and pruning within the TTZ," the office of the divisional director, social forestry, said. Rajesh Kumar, divisional director (social forestry), forest department, Agra, said the move relaxes the process beyond 5 km. "This SOP will simplify the process of seeking permission, save time and promote agroforestry in the region," he told HT on Sunday. A blanket ban on felling, cutting or trimming of trees within the TTZ was imposed after the Supreme Court's May 8, 2015 order in the MC Mehta vs Union of India case, requiring prior approval from the apex court. Relaxations followed in 2025. On March 25, the court permitted trimming and pruning of trees obstructing electricity infrastructure. On May 1, it allowed felling of eucalyptus, poplar and melia dubia (Malabar neem), and removal of trees to prevent damage to property, protect life and ease traffic. An order dated May 13 fixed penalties for illegal felling. On March 25, 2026, the Central Empowered Committee (CEC) issued a standard operating procedure (SOP) to regulate such activities within the TTZ. Under the SOP, farmers beyond the 5-km radius can obtain permission from the divisional director or a forest officer to fell 1-49 trees; cases involving more than 50 trees require CEC approval. For non-farmers, permission for up to 49 trees will be granted by the CEC, while more than 50 will need Supreme Court approval. In emergencies - such as preventing damage to property, protecting life or easing traffic - permission may be granted by the divisional director or a forest officer. Permission for trimming or pruning for electricity infrastructure will also be granted at this level, while dry trees will require inspection by the CEC. Within the 5-km aerial radius of the Taj Mahal, permission for any pruning, cutting or felling will continue to be granted only by the Supreme Court. The TTZ was created following the Supreme Court's 1996 judgement in the MC Mehta vs Union of India case over concerns about pollution affecting the Taj Mahal. Spread over 10,400 sq km, it covers parts of Agra, Firozabad, Mathura, Hathras and Etah in Uttar Pradesh, and Bharatpur in Rajasthan. Brij Khandelwal, president of the Braj Mandal Heritage Conservation Society, termed the relaxation a "dilution of control". "Past experience shows that whenever such initiatives are handed over to a committee or commission, the process gets diluted and the sense of urgency weakens. The very objective is pushed into cold storage," Khandelwal said. He added that the functioning of such committees is often questionable....