ORDER :

This application filed by Superintendent Engineer, Public Works Department, Agra Circle prays for permission to fell and remove 2332 trees growing in Taj Trapezium Zone (TTZ) for construction of four different roads referred to in the prayer part of the application. By an order dated 25.11.2013 the matter was referred to the Central Empowered Committee for its report and recommendation. In its report dated 01.05.2014 the CEC has recommended felling of 919 trees only out of a total of 2332 for which removal permission was sought subject to certain conditions specified in the said report. One of the conditions specified is that the forest department plants 7000 trees at its cost to compensate for the removal of the trees felled in connection with the projects.

2. When the matter came up today for hearing before us Mr. Mehta, the petitioner who appears in person submitted that several orders have been passed by this Court in the past in several separate applications filed before the Court seeking permission to fell and remove a very large number of trees in connection with the construction of different projects underway in the TTZ. One of the conditions which is invariably impos