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{{Infobox settlement
| name = Taj Trapezium Zone
| settlement_type = Environmental protection zone
| image_skyline = Taj Mahal, Agra, India.jpg
| image_caption = The Taj Mahal, the central monument protected within the zone.
| nickname = TTZ
| image_map = File:Taj_Trapezium_Zone.png
| map_caption =
| pushpin_map = India Uttar Pradesh
| pushpin_map_caption = Location in Uttar Pradesh, India
| pushpin_label_position = none
| subdivision_type = Country
| subdivision_name = {{flagu|India}}
| subdivision_type1 = [[States and union territories of India|States]]
| subdivision_name1 = [[Uttar Pradesh]], [[Rajasthan]]
| subdivision_type2 = [[Divisions of Uttar Pradesh|Divisions]]
| subdivision_name2 = [[Agra division]], [[Bharatpur division]]
| established_title = Notified
| established_date = December 30, 1996
| leader_title = Governing body
| leader_name = Taj Trapezium Zone Authority
| area_total_km2 = 10400
| timezone1 = [[Indian Standard Time|IST]]
| utc_offset1 = +5:30
| website = {{URL|http://www.ttzagra.com/}}
}}

'''Taj Trapezium Zone''' is a trapezium-shaped protected area covering {{convert|10400|km2|sqmi|adj=on}} around Agra, India consisting of three [[Mughal Empire|Mughal]]-era World Heritage Sites—[[Taj Mahal]], [[Agra Fort]], and [[Fatehpur Sikri]]—and over 40 other monuments of national and cultural significance.<ref name="TTZ Authority">{{cite web |title=Taj Trapezium Zone (TTZ) |url=http://www.ttzagra.com/ |accessdate=2024-06-10 |website=ttzagra.com}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news |date=2008-05-04 |title=Why is the Taj Trapezium Zone and why is it called so? |url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/why-is-the-taj-trapezium-zone-and-why-is-it-called-so/articleshow/3008537.cms |access-date=2025-06-18 |work=The Times of India}}</ref> The area covers parts of [[Uttar Pradesh]] and [[Rajasthan]] states in India, including of [[Agra]], [[Firozabad]], [[Mathura]], [[Vrindavan]], [[Hathras]] and [[Bharatpur district|Bharatpur]].<ref>{{cite web |date=30 April 1997 |title=Toxons and the Taj |url=http://www.unesco.org/courier/2000_07/uk/signe.htm |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080526021559/http://www.unesco.org/courier/2000_07/uk/signe.htm |archive-date=26 May 2008 |access-date=7 February 2015 |work=UNESCO}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news |last=PTI |date=2025-03-05 |title=Supreme Court asks FRI to conduct tree census in Taj Trapezium Zone |url=https://www.thehindu.com/news/national/supreme-court-asks-fri-to-conduct-tree-census-in-taj-trapezium-zone/article69294070.ece |access-date=2025-06-18 |work=The Hindu |language=en-IN |issn=0971-751X}}</ref>

The zone was established in 1996 following a landmark decision by [[Supreme Court of India]] in ''[[M. C. Mehta v. Union of India & Ors.]]'' to protect the Taj Mahal from industrial pollution,<ref>{{Cite web |date=2010-01-14 |title=Haze over a trapezium |url=https://frontline.thehindu.com/environment/article30178693.ece |access-date=2025-06-18 |website=Frontline |language=en}}</ref> where the court banned the use of coke or coal for industries operating within this zone and established a regulatory oversight.<ref name=":1">{{Cite web |title=M.C. Mehta vs Union Of India & Ors on 30 December, 1996 |url=https://indiankanoon.org/doc/1964392/ |access-date=2025-06-10 |website=indiankanoon.org}}</ref> Over the years, Supreme Court has continued to judicially protect Taj Trapezium Zone,<ref>{{Cite web |last=www.ETLegalWorld.com |title=3 decades later, conditions in Taj Trapezium Zone worsen - ET LegalWorld |url=https://legal.economictimes.indiatimes.com/news/industry/3-decades-later-conditions-in-taj-trapezium-zone-worsen/80092588 |access-date=2025-06-18 |website=ETLegalWorld.com |language=en}}</ref> ruling to limit [[tree felling]],<ref>{{Cite news |date=2025-05-16 |title=SC slaps up to ₹25k fine per tree for illegal felling in TTZ |url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/agra/sc-slaps-up-to-25k-fine-per-tree-for-illegal-felling-in-ttz/articleshow/121216252.cms |access-date=2025-06-18 |work=The Times of India}}</ref> construction, industrial expansion,<ref>{{Cite web |date=2019-12-11 |title=Supreme Court removes ban on industrial construction in Taj Trapezium Zone, Agra welcomes move |url=https://www.indiatoday.in/india/story/supreme-court-removes-ban-on-industrial-construction-in-taj-trapezium-zone-agra-welcomes-move-1627344-2019-12-11 |access-date=2025-06-18 |website=India Today |language=en}}</ref> and imposing financial penalties in many cases.<ref>{{Cite web |date=2022-09-27 |title=How pollution, insects are threatening Taj Mahal, and what Supreme Court has said |url=https://indianexpress.com/article/explained/explained-climate/how-pollution-insects-are-threatening-taj-mahal-and-what-supreme-court-has-said-8176610/ |access-date=2025-06-18 |website=The Indian Express |language=en}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news |date=2025-04-05 |title=Supreme Court fines Agra farmhouse Rs 17L for felling 17 trees in Taj Trapezium Zone; orders plantation of 340 saplings |url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/agra/sc-slaps-rs-17l-fine-on-agra-farmhouse-owner-for-felling-17-trees-in-ttz/articleshow/119988013.cms |access-date=2025-06-18 |work=The Times of India |issn=0971-8257}}</ref>

The Taj Trapezium Zone Pollution (Prevention and Control) Authority, a [[statutory body]] established under the ruling continues to monitor compliance and implementation of various schemes and subsequent court rulings for protection of Taj Mahal and environmental issues within the zone.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Taj Trapezium Zone (TTZ) |url=https://ttzauthority.com/index.php |access-date=2025-06-18 |website=ttzauthority.com}}</ref>

== History ==
Taj Trapezium Zone was constituted following Supreme Court's order in 1996 in the case of M.C. Mehta v. Union of India & Ors. This decision was in response to a Public Interest Litigation seeking to protect the Taj Mahal from environmental pollution. The Supreme Court’s directives included strict pollution control measures such as the closure or relocation of polluting industries, large-scale tree plantation, restrictions on vehicular movement, promotion of battery-operated vehicles, and bans on construction and mining activities near the monument.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Jamal |first=Ummar |date=2025-03-19 |title=Supreme Court directs probe into tree felling in Taj Trapezium Zone |url=https://www.barandbench.com/news/supreme-court-directs-probe-tree-felling-taj-trapezium-zone |access-date=2025-06-22 |website=Bar and Bench - Indian Legal news |language=en}}</ref> Subsequently, the Central Government constituted the Taj Trapezium Zone Pollution (Prevention and Control) Authority in 1998 through a gazette notification (S.O. 350(E), dated May 13, 1998) under the Environment (Protection) Act, 1986.<ref name="TTZ Authority" />

== Overview ==
The Taj Trapezium Zone forms a trapezoid bounded on the west by the line from 26°45′N, 77°15′E to 27°45′N, 77°15′E and on the east by the line from 27°00′N, 78°30′E to 27°30′N, 78°30′E. It lies within the Agra Division of Uttar Pradesh and the Bharatpur Division of Rajasthan.<ref name="TTZ Authority" /> The area is divided into four zones based on types of industries: Orange, White, Red, and Green.

The zone contains following notable monuments:

* [[Taj Mahal]]
* [[Agra Fort]]
* [[Fatehpur Sikri]]
* [[Akbar's tomb]]
* [[Tomb of Mariam-uz-Zamani]]

== See also ==

* [[Environmental law in India]]

== References ==
{{Reflist}}

[[Category:History of Agra]]

Taj Trapezium Zone - Revision history

Portileostah: made new data first draft