- Title: INDIA: Pollution turning the Taj Mahal yellow
- Date: 20th May 2007
- Summary: AGRA (MAY 18, 2007) (ANI) THE TAJ MAHAL CLOSE UP OF THE DOME/TILT MORE OF THE TAJ MAHAL ON THE BANKS OF RIVER YAMUNA A BUFFALO IN THE WATER VARIOUS OF TAJ MAHAL CLOSE UP OF A YELLOWING WALL/ZOOM OUT CLOSE OF A WALL WITH INSCRIPTIONS PEOPLE STANDING IN A BALCONY OF ONE OF THE MINARETS (SOUNDBITE) (Hindi) DR K. M. RANA, AN ENVIRONMENTALIST, SAYING: "There is a definite effect of pollution on Taj Mahal. It is the parameters of air pollution because of which the Taj is yellowing. We had objected to the construction of oil refineries near the Taj Mahal much earlier. Because these refineries are just at an aerial distance of 35 kilometres from the Taj." LONG OF THE TAJ MAHAL A POLLUTION DEVICE MORE OF THE POLLUTION DEVICE THE TAJ MAHAL (SOUNDBITE) (Hindi) B.L. JOSHI, A TOURIST, SAYING: "This is the second time that I'm seeing the Taj Mahal. I am seeing it after a gap of 17 years. And I'm glad I've got another opportunity to see the Taj������� but this time it looks less radiant than before. And there is very little cleanliness." MORE OF THE YELLOWING WALLS/ZOOM OUT (SOUNDBITE) (Hindi) DR K. M. RANA, AN ENVIRONMENTALIST, SAYING: "Taj is one of the wonders of the world. The Taj provides a lot of employment to the city of Agra, not found anywhere else in the world. An economy of 550 crores is sustained by the Taj������� Now the status is this. In Agra, the RSPM (Respiratory Suspended Particulate Matter) or the density of dust in the air, according to the Central Pollution Control Board is only 75. But in reality, it is never less that 200 RSPM." MORE OF THE TAJ MAHAL
- Embargoed: 4th June 2007 04:52
- Keywords:
- Location: India
- Country: India
- Topics: Nature / Environment
- Reuters ID: LVA7ATSCXUB9BU54K2UW1ANUOBTZ
- Aspect Ratio: 4:3
- Story Text: Pollution is turning the Taj Mahal yellow, despite efforts by the Indian government to control air contamination around the poignant 17th century monument and keep it shimmering white, a parliamentary committee has said.
In a report to the parliament, the standing committee on transport, tourism and culture has said airborne particles were being deposited on the monument's white marble, giving it a yellow tinge.
Mughal emperor Shah Jahan built it as a mausoleum for his wife Mumtaz Mahal, in the northern city of Agra about four hours drive south of the capital.
Authorities have made various attempts in the past to keep the area around the Taj Mahal pollution free, including setting up an air pollution monitoring station in Agra.
But the committee said while air pollutants such as sulphur dioxide and nitrous oxide gases was generally within permissible limits, 'suspended particulate matter' had been recorded at high levels except during the rainy season.
Environmentalists like Dr K. M. Rana in Agra say such reports and findings are nothing new.
"There is a definite effect of pollution on the Taj Mahal. It is the parameters of air pollution because of which the Taj is yellowing. We had objected to the construction of oil refineries near the Taj Mahal much earlier. Because these refineries are just at an aerial distance of 35 kilometres from the Taj," said Dr. Rana.
While hordes of tourists throng the Taj to marvel at its architectural beauty, they can't help but notice how much it has yellowed in the last few years.
"This is the second time that I'm seeing the Taj Mahal. I am seeing it after a gap of 17 years. And I'm glad I've got another opportunity to see the Taj������� but this time it looks less radiant than before. And there is very little cleanliness," said B. L. Joshi, a second time visitor to the Taj.
Dr. Rana blames the government of being corrupt and not doing anything to improve the situation.
"The Taj Mahal is one of the wonders of the world. The Taj provides a lot of employment to the city of Agra, not found anywhere else in the world. An economy of 550 crores is sustained by the Taj������� Now the status is this. In Agra, the RSPM (Respiratory Suspended Particulate Matter) or the density of dust in the air, according to the Central Pollution Control Board is only 75. But in reality, it is never less that 200 RSPM," he added.
The committee has suggested a clay pack treatment that is non-corrosive and non-abrasive be carried out to remove deposits on the marble. It recommended that while undertaking any conservation activity at the Taj Mahal, abundant cautions should be taken to retain the original glory of the shimmering white marble used in this.
Attracting around 20,000 visitors every day, the monument was completed in 1648 after 17 years of construction by 20,000 workers. - Copyright Holder: ANI (India)
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