AGRA: The forest dept in Agra is restructuring the eco-sensitive Yamuna ravines around 800 meters away from the Taj Mahal. Earth movers are being used to dig soil and level ravines behind the Taj nature walk park. Local residents claim that large-scale illegal soil mining is being done in the area, while environmentalists say that local authorities are trying to “systematically destroy” the ravines and make way for the builders.
District forest officer Akhilesh Pandey claimed that he was "not aware of the work being done in the area." City ranger Ramgopal Singh Chauhan claimed that the work was being done to "conserve water."
