Idols to be 'respectfully' transferred before demolition of temples in Mathura

The National Green Tribunal has ordered demolition of temples located on the forest land on the Giriraj Parvat in Mathura after "respectfully" removing the idols from the unauthorised shrines.

A bench headed by Justice Raghuvendra Singh Rathore, however, clarified that no "samadhi" (grave) would be removed or touched.

"As far as temples which are established and constructed on the Giriraj Parvat, or in the forest area, the state of UP and its authorities are directed to respectfully remove the idols of the temples and place them in other temples which are beyond the aforesaid area," the bench, also comprising expert member S S Garbyal, said.

"Thereafter, they shall remove all other structures which exist on the Giriraj Parvat or in the 12 hectares which is now with the UP Forest Department," it added.

During the hearing, the counsel for the UP government told the tribunal that about 33 encroachments have been identified which are existing on the 12 hectares of land which has now come in the possession of the Uttar Pradesh Forest Department and appropriate and adequate steps shall be taken immediately against such encroachments.

He said barbed wire fencing should also be done so as to prevent any further encroachment.

The tribunal has posted the matter for further hearing on November 1.

The NGT had earlier rapped the Uttar Pradesh government and Mathura district authorities for not complying with its order on construction and felling of trees. It had declared the entire "Parikrama Marg" as a no-construction zone to avoid any encroachment and asked the civic bodies to construct a sewerage system along the holy area.

The tribunal was hearing a plea filed by Mathura-based Giriraj Parikrama Sanrakshan Sansthan and others seeking compliance of August 4, 2015, directions of the NGT.

The organisation had raised the issue of civic authorities discharging sewage and municipal waste into the ponds and other water bodies in Govardhan Hill.