Uttar Pradesh government has been directed by the National Green Tribunal to remove all the temples falling within 12 hectares of land under the forest department on Giriraj Parvat in Mathura, Times of India has reported.

These temples have allegedly found to be illegally constructed on forest department land.

The tribunal in its order has ordered the government to respectfully shift the idols of temples to some other legal temples.

“UP and its authorities have been directed to respectfully shift the idols of these temples and place them in other legal temples that are beyond the 12 hectares of land, before removing the illegal constructions,” stated the order delivered on Tuesday (23 October).

The order has also made it clear to not remove any ‘samadhi’ (grave) that falls in the existing land, as per reports.

Officials told the paper that 20 temples in the area which include three big temples will have to be demolished after the NGT order.

NGT has been informed by the state’s counsel about 33 encroachments identified on the forest land.

A committee was formed in 2015 after an NGT order to study the environmental issues and problems to the devotees. The committee made 17 recommendations including the development of Giriraj Parvat and Parikrama Marg.

The NGT also asked the government of Rajasthan to file an affidavit on the progress made in the development of Puchhari Ka Lota. The area is a part of Giriraj Parvat but falls in the state of Rajasthan.