No tree-cutting in 5km of Taj Mahal without nod: SC
NEW DELHI: The Supreme Court on Thursday reiterated its 2015 directive restricting tree felling within 5-km aerial distance of the Taj Mahal in Agra without its nod. The court was hearing a plea by environmentalist MC Mehta seeking directions to prevent the Taj from hazards. The Taj Trapezium Zone (TTZ), an area of 10,400 square-kilometre, spreads across Agra, Firozabad, Mathura, Hathras, and Etah districts in UP and Bharatpur in Rajasthan. A bench of justices Abhay S Oka and Ujjal Bhuyan said tree felling in areas within TTZ beyond the 5 km distance of the monument will require the prior permission of the central empowered committee and bound by the provisions of UP Tree Preservation Act.
BENGALURU: While the state and Central governments are working to identify and protect heritage sites in Karnataka, the responsibility of the people, especially locals, is much bigger. Experts echo the lack of sense of ownership, respect and pride among people and government officials alike. Recently, after a video went viral showing a meat stall at the tomb of Krishnadevaraya, the legendary ruler of the Vijayanagar dynasty, in Anegundi, the Department of Archaeology Museum and Heritage (DAMH) filed a complaint against the accused. The Archaeological Survey of India (ASI) says the site is a state-protected monument. Then, how was this allowed to happen? Madhusudhan KR, researcher and member of the Karnataka Itihasa Academy, says, The incident came to light after videos taken by tourists went viral. A similar incident was reported from Doddaballapur taluk in Bengaluru Rural, where a 5th century Ganga dynasty stone inscription went missing, during construction of a temples compound wall. This cannot continue. State and national heritage should be protected. A bigger concern is of sites being disrespected, destroyed, defaced and damaged. It all started with the cinema industry, which romanticized the etching of messages in stone. Now people have immortalized it. Some go to heritage sites with cameras, some others with chisels and paint. Couples started writing messages, drawing graffiti and symbols. Just imagine, you are visiting a tombstone or a hero stone or fort, and you are greeted with a painted love note. Not just governments, even locals should come forward and take stern action to control the menace to bring such people to book. In some places, people spit on fort walls, urinate or throw food items. This is seen in areas outside fort walls and spaces surrounding them, said an ASI official, seeking anonymity. Although government departments blame manpower and funds shortage for their inability to protect the sites, experts suggest the adoption of alternatives. Citizens should be involved and made watchdogs. They should be made aware of the sites and their importance, made partners in protection and offered incentives for protecting them. ASI and DAMH officials should also work with panchayats. In a district, if 30 per cent of sites are protected, 20 per cent are on the verge of being lost and 50 per cent have already been lost. With this being the state of affairs, a lot more needs to be done, says Madhusudhan. Experts say the government should now shift its focus from the already popular heritage sites of Hampi, Belur, Halebidu, Pattadakal, Aihole and Badami to lesser known destinations. But so far, its only been lip service. Dr Jayasimha P, senior research fellow, Mythic Society, says the Brahmagiri region near Chitradurga is much richer and needs urgent attention. The region gains importance as around 100 years ago, Dr MH Krishna from Mysore Archaeology, under the then kings, had said Brahmagiri holds the key to questions of human evolution. Government departments are carrying out excavation work and have found artifacts older than the Paleolithic period. Already, many important artifacts have been lost over time, and people know very little about this place. Similarly, there is a 1,100-year-old stone inscription in the Panchalingeshwara Temple in Begur temple, near Electronics City, which is named Bengalura. Another expert working with ASI says, requesting anonymity, that while the Central government and other states are finding artifacts and heritage structures to display the glory of King Ashokas Mauryan Empire, Karnataka is doing nothing. There are stone inscriptions of King Ashoka in Koppal, Maski, Brahmagiri and near Chitradurga. These show that his empire touched Karnataka and he had trade relations here. They need to be protected now, before it is too late, the expert says, adding that not just sites, even murals and ecological heritage need protection. In Lal Bagh (Bengaluru), the mango trees planted by Hyder Ali and Tipu Sultan are well-protected. But the same ecology in Srirangapatna is ignored. Similar is the case with the Nallur Tamarind Grove, which is a biodiversity site now. Over time, the number of trees has reduced. There are also many heritage banyan trees on village roads, which are becoming highways now. Many heritage doors, walls and windows of heritage properties, like in Lakkundi, are being lost to urbanization, the expert points out. DAMH officials admit that many stone inscriptions, especially hero stones, have been lost to urbanization. People destroy the stones by using granite for foundation or in residential/commercial construction. Many such stones are being found on the outskirts of Bengaluru, Tumkuru, Ramanagara, Kolar and surrounding areas, but are being lost because of lack of knowledge about them, the official adds. Experts say the way ahead to protect heritage sites is for the government to get aggressive and involve people. They cite Tamil Nadus example of not just using archaeology to build narratives, but also as assets. This year, there are 22 excavations taking place in Tamil Nadu, but only two in Karnataka. Excavations in Tamil Nadu are being done in the open for people to see and ask questions. There is a guide stationed at the site to explain the works and the site. There is a people connection established there. A similar method is also adopted in Vadnagar in Gujarat, where guides tell stories during the excavations. An emotional link with people is established, which is lacking here. In Karnataka, where DAMH has started excavation works in Firozabad, near Kalaburgi South Indias first hammam (communal bath space) and water system the people connect is missing, an expert says. Meera Iyer, convener, Indian National Trust for Art and Cultural Heritage (INTACH), says a lack of awareness and appreciation among people is the reason for heritage sites being in a poor condition. It is seen that wherever people realize the importance of sites and appreciate them, they are protected. The government should also be more careful in protecting them and encourage people to come forward to do so. The government should also be more judicious in utilizing funds and resources. People should also take an interest in finding out whats around them and its importance. GROUND ZERO SITUATION UDUPI Story of neglect Prof T Murugeshi, retired Associate Professor, Ancient History and Archaeology, MSRS College, Shirva, Udupi district, says Karnatakas coastal region has many sites. But the ASI and DAHM have totally neglected coastal Karnataka with respect to documentation, survey, protection and conservation. Only a handful of sites in this region are protected. No Members of Parliament, MLAs or district authorities are concerned about the rich cultural heritage of this region. Important rock art sites like Buddhanajeddu, Gavali and Avalakki Pare in Udupi district, Karur, Sonda in Uttara Kannada district and Pandavarakallu near Belthangady in Dakshina Kannada, speak of the unknown prehistory of coastal Karnataka but the authorities are totally blind, Murugeshi says. BELAGAVI A fort in ruins The situation in Belagavi is no different. Experts and locals point out that one of the most famous and historic forts Kittur Fort is in ruins. The state government has made plans to revive it and organise Kittur Utsav as an annual affair. They say the government should also give importance to lesser-known sites, including the Bhootanath Temple Complex at Killa Torgal, and ancient Ratta temples in Hooli, Degaon and Gokak, which now lie neglected. GADAG People unaware of importance While Gadag is known for the famous Lakkundi temple, history expert AD Kattimani from Gadag says many historic monuments need to be saved as people in rural areas still dont know their importance. The local administration should come forward to create awareness. Even as excavations have started in Lakkundi and surrounding areas, there are no State or Central government officials on the ground to disseminate information on the same, say experts, adding that it is important, especially when local residents are coming forward and handing over inscriptions and monuments found inside their houses and which they worshipped. Experts say some places inside Gadag town need more vigilance as last December, some miscreants defaced a side wall of Jodu Kalasa in Sudi village. People continue to misuse historic monuments. KALABURAGI Tombs damaged Although there are over 200 historical monuments, only some are protected by ASI and DAMH sites. Many sites are encroached or neglected due to different reasons, including the Bahamani Fort and Haft Gumbaz. Efforts of the district administration to evict families living in Kalaburagi Fort have not yielded results. Miscreants have damaged some tombs situated in Haft Gumbaz premises in search of hidden treasures. There is also lack of proper security at the 16 sites protected by DAMH. Activist Lakshmikanth says many monuments are dilapidated and unrepaired over years. Some monuments have become a place for illegal activities. Historian Shambhuling Vani urges the government to take steps to protect the monuments and make them attractive tourist spots by providing necessary facilities. HASSAN No protection for 50 sites While 45 monuments (24 by DAMH and 21 by ASI) belonging to the Hoysala dynasty are protected, over 50 lie neglected. Experts say the government is showing no signs of protecting the others, including Jain Basadis, inscriptions unearthed in Belur and Channarayapatna, highlighting the works of Chandragupta Mourya and the Chola dynasty. Historian Narasimha Murthy says the need of the hour is to conserve every monument without discrimination. The state and ASI should come up with special programmes to protect monuments for future generations. VIJAYAPURA Home to 81 monuments According to the ASI, Vijayapura city alone has 81 protected monuments, the second highest in India after Delhi. Yet, despite having so many ancient and historically significant monuments, only a few are protected by ASI. While some monuments, such as Gol Gumbaz, Ibrahim Roza, Bara Kaman, Upari Burj and Malik-ek-Maidan, are well maintained by ASI, many others remain neglected, including the fort wall surrounding the city. It has been damaged at many places and even illegally occupied by people to build homes. An ASI official questions the lack of funds for upkeep and maintenance to protect and promote several monuments. We can issue notices to residents, but we cannot remove them from ASI property as it is tricky. We dont get the required support from local authorities to remove encroachments, says the ASI official. State protected sites 800 Unprotected sites identified by state government 25,000 ASI protected sites in Karnataka: 506 (129 in Bengaluru Circle, 282 in Dharwad Circle, 95 in Hampi Circle) (Inputs from:Prakash Samaga/ Udupi; Tushar A Majukar/ Belagavi; Raghu Koppar/ Gadag; Ramakrishna Badsheshi / Kalaburagi; BR Udaya Kumar / Hassan; Firoz Rozindar / Vijayapura)
Bomb threat emails received by multiple district collectorates in UP, turn out to be hoax
A security alert was triggered in Uttar Pradesh after emails claiming bomb threats were sent to four district collectorate offices in Firozabad, Aligarh, Barabanki, and Chandauli. Authorities swiftly evacuated and searched the buildings, but no explosives or suspicious items were discovered.
UP Cop Mistakenly Names Judge As Accused In Theft Case, Suspended
In Uttar Pradesh's Firozabad, a judge ordered a cop to issue a non-bailable warrant against a man who was accused of theft. The police officer, instead of listing the accused, 'mistakenly' named the judge in the warrant.
Courtroom Mix-Up: UP Cop Who Referred To Judge As Accused To Face Enquiry
In a bizarre mix-up, a police sub-inspector (SI) wrote a magistrate's name instead of the accused in a theft case while complying with the proclamation order in Uttar Pradesh's Firozabad district.
Comedy of Errors: UP police inspector serves warrant to his own judge in a case of mistaken identity
In a comical mishap in Firozabad, SI Banwarilal mistakenly served a court proclamation to Chief Judicial Magistrate Nagma Khan herself, instead of the intended theft suspect. The officer's blunder, stemming from a misread document, led him to report the judge as unlocatable.
The Sambhal police have cracked down on a notorious gang involved in a massive tantric fraud racket. This gang, which had a network spanning across Agra, Firozabad, and Etah, would lure people with promises of Dhan-Varsha (a shower of money) ...
Kanpur ordnance factory employee arrested for leaking sensitive information to ISI operative
LUCKNOW: The Uttar Pradesh Anti-Terrorism Squad (UP ATS), on Wednesday, nabbed an employee of Kanpur Ordnance Factory for allegedly sharing classified and sensitive information with a Pakistani intelligence operative through social media. According to an official statement issued by UP ATS, accused, identified as Kumar Vikas, was employed as a Junior Works Manager at the Kanpur Ordnance Factory. The accused was allegedly in constant touch with a suspected Pakistani agent who used the dummy name 'Neha Sharma', said the statement. As per the probe revelations, Kumar Vikas had been fetching confidential documents and sensitive data related to ordnance manufacturing, employee attendance sheets, machine layouts, and production charts via WhatsApp too his ISI handlers. This was the second such arrest within five days. UP ATS had also arested another employee Ravindra Kumar of Firozabad ordnance factory. Kumar Vikas had also been in touch with Ravindra Kumar and both were honey trapped 'Neha Sharma' of ISI. Vikas had been sharing documents like daily production report, details of machinery installed in the Kanpur factory. Subsequently, the UP ATS has started operation on the ISI network active in Kanpur Ordnance Factory. Following the arrest of Ravindra Kumar of Firozabad ordnance factory, UP ATS got a tip-off that Kumar Vikas, who was working on the post of junior works manager, was in constant contact with ISI handlers. After thorough investigation, UP ATS found that he had come in contact with Neha Sharma through a social media platform Facebook in 2025. The investigation revealed that Neha Sharma had posed as an employee of BHEL (Bharat Heavy Electricals Ltd) and exchanged phone numbers with both Kumar Vikas and Ravindra Kumar through messenger. Kumar Vikas, a resident of village Shahjahanpur under Shetti police station area of Kanpur Dehat, used to talk to Neha Sharma through Ludo App. He used to share crucial and confidential information with Neha Sharma in lieu of money. UP ATS claimed that the sharing of info by Kumar Vikas under a criminal conspiracy could have been used by the Pakistan intelligence agency to dent unity and integrity of the country.
44 years later, justice catches up with three convicts of Dehuli massacre
LUCKNOW: Justice, though delayed, was finally served as a special court in Mainpuri, Uttar Pradesh, sentenced three men to death for the brutal massacre of 24 Dalits in Dehuli village of Jasrana, Firozabad district, 44 years ago in 1981. On March 12 this year, special judge Indira Singh convicted Kaptan Singh (60), Rampal (60), and Ram Sevak (70) for their role in the killings. Apart from the death sentence, the court imposed a penalty of Rs 2 lakh each on Kaptan Singh and Rampal, while Ram Sevak was fined Rs 1 lakh. Following the courts order, all three convicts were taken to Mainpuri district jail under police custody. They were produced in the special court at 11:30 am amid tight security. As the verdict was pronounced, the convicts broke down in the courtroom, while their relatives, waiting outside, wept as they were taken to jail. Prosecutor Rohit Shukla, representing the government, presented witnesses and evidence to establish the crime and sought the death penalty for all three. After hearing all arguments, the court delivered its verdict in the afternoon. The convicts have the right to challenge the special courts order in the High Court within 30 days. Jail sources stated that the convicts would be kept under observation in a quarantine barrack for 14 days before being moved to regular barracks. The horrific massacre took place on 18 November 1981, when a gang of 17 dacoits, led by Radhe and Santosha, stormed Dehuli village around 4:30 pm, disguised as policemen. The gang targeted a Dalit family, suspecting them to be police informers, and gunned down 24 people, including two children aged just six months and two years. Nine others were injured in the attack. An FIR was lodged by local resident Laik Singh on 19 November 1981. The case was registered under IPC Sections 302 (murder), 307 (attempt to murder), and 396 (dacoity with murder), among other charges. During the prolonged trial, 14 of the accused died, while one was declared an absconder. The gravity of the incident had prompted then-Prime Minister Indira Gandhi to meet the affected families. Meanwhile, opposition leader Atal Bihari Vajpayee undertook a padyatra from Dehuli to Sadupur in Firozabad to express solidarity with the bereaved families.
UP Man, Lured By Pak Agent 'Neha', Arrested For Leaking Defence Info
Uttar Pradesh's Anti-Terrorism Squad has arrested a man working in an ordnance factory in Firozabad on suspicion of spying for Pakistan's Inter-Services Intelligence, or ISI.
Video: Right-wing group harasses women at fair in UP, sparks outrage
In a disturbing incident, a group of young Muslim women was targeted by right-wing Hindutva men at a fair in Uttar Pradeshs Milikhan Jahanpur village of Firozabad city. The incident came to light on Saturday, February 9 when a video of the intimidation surfaced on social media, igniting widespread condemnation and outrage. The widely circulated Get the latest updates in Hyderabad City News , Technology , Entertainment , Sports , Politics and Top Stories on WhatsApp & Telegram by subscribing to our channels. You can also download our app for Android and iOS .
'One District One Product' Exhibited At Maha Kumbh
Items such as carpets, glass toys from Firozabad, and wooden toys from Varanasi are being showcased under the Centre's 'One District One Product' (ODOP) initiative at the Mahakumbh 2025 in Prayagraj, an official statement said on Sunday.
Mahakumbh 2025: UP handicrafts set for trade worth Rs 35 crore at ODOP exhibition
LUCKNOW: Mahakumbh-2025, a massive congregation of pilgrims along the banks of Sangam, is providing a platform for the artisans of Uttar Pradesh. Devotees, besides seeking spiritual fulfilment, are thronging the exhibition of 'One District, One Product' (ODOP), set up over 6,000 square metre area showcasing an array of exquisite handicrafts of the state. Be it the exquisite carpets of Bhadohi and Mirzapur, or intricate zari-zardozi, Katan silk quintessential to Banaras reflecting the ethos of the most ancient city of world, Firozabad's glass work, Moradabads brass work or fine wooden art pieces of Saharanpurall narrating the richness of handicraft industry of the state. Sharad Tandon, Joint Commissioner of Industries in Prayagraj Division, underscores the remarkable growth in trade from Mahakumbh held in 2019. In 2019, the turnover of handicraft industry was Rs 4.30 crore, but this time we are expecting a turnover of up to Rs 35 crore, an approximately eight times jump in the revenue from ODOP. This remarkable increase will offer new opportunities to the artisans while empowering small entrepreneurs, says Tandon. Adding another dimension to the event, Flipkart has set up a stall where local entrepreneurs are being offered a free sales opportunity. Artisans and handicraft sellers can now sell their products through Flipkart platform without any charge. It has been drawing shoppers in hoards. The exhibition is showcasing various crafts and Geographical Indication (GI) products. According to Dr Rajnikant, a GI expert, 75 GI products from the state are on display at ODOP exhibition in mela area. Among the 75 GI products, 34 are from the Kashi region, which has played an important role in securing the GI tag, offering recognition and protection to these unique crafts. Dr Rajnikant also mentioned efforts to bring other iconic products like Banaras Thandai, Lal Peda, and Banarasi Tabla to the global stage. The GI products up for grabs include Varanasi red chilies, Banarasi sarees, Pratapgarh amla and delicacies made of it, brass utensils from Mirzapur, and Gorakhpur terracotta. Additionally, carpets from Kushinagar and glass toys and utensils from Firozabad are top selling items at the exhibition. Visitors from across India and abroad are grabbing the opportunity to purchase products from local artisans, highlighting the growing popularity of this handcrafted treasure.
