Bronte Wells
The Taj Mahal, a UNESCO World Heritage Site and one of the Seven Wonders of the World, is under threat from pollution. The white marble mausoleum, built by Mughal emperor Shah Jahan for his wife, Mumtaz Mahal, has turned yellow and is frequently covered in dust and smog from smokestacks and vehicles in the city of Agra. While the battle to save the Taj from pollution has been ongoing since the 1970s, pollution levels in the city have risen significantly over the years due to industrial growth, increased traffic, and a growing population. The Indian government has taken steps to curb pollution, such as creating a safe zone around the monument and implementing an action plan to control vehicle emissions, but the discolouration of the Taj Mahal persists.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Pollution type | Air and water pollution |
| Main causes | Automobile and factory emissions, industrial waste, untreated sewage |
| Effects | Discolouration, corrosion, decay |
| Action | Government action plan to combat air pollution, use of clay paste to clean marble |
| River | Yamuna |
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What You'll Learn
The role of air pollutants in the deterioration of the Taj Mahal
The Taj Mahal, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, has been battling the adverse effects of air pollution since the 1970s, with a lawsuit for its protection filed in 1984. The mausoleum, constructed of white marble, has been discoloured and corroded due to various air pollutants.
The primary source of air pollution affecting the Taj Mahal is the nearby city of Agra, which is one of India's most polluted cities. The growth of industry, traffic congestion, and an increase in population have significantly contributed to the high levels of air pollution in Agra. The city's reliance on coal-burning power and its position downstream of Delhi have further exacerbated the problem.
The Yamuna River, which flows through Agra, is a significant contributor to the air pollution affecting the Taj Mahal. The river has lost its biological flow and is heavily contaminated with chemical and human waste, as well as industrial waste and untreated sewage from the city. The wind carries these nutrients, allowing them to be deposited in the porous stonework of the Taj Mahal. This has resulted in the proliferation of microorganisms that discolour the marble. Additionally, insects from the river, which was once home to fish that controlled their population, now crawl into the Taj Mahal, their excrement further staining the marble.
A study titled "The Role of Air Pollutants for Deterioration of Taj Mahal" identified hydrogen sulphide (H2S) as the primary cause of corrosion on the surface of metals. H2S is generated by the untreated wastewater of Agra, which is released into the Yamuna River. The acidic nature of H2S gas contributes to the corrosion of the Taj Mahal's marble structure. Other air pollutants, such as sulphur dioxide (SO2), nitrogen dioxide (NO2), ammonia (NH3), carbon monoxide (CO), and carbon dioxide (CO2), also contribute to the deterioration of the monument.
To combat air pollution and protect the Taj Mahal, the city of Agra has launched a comprehensive action plan. This includes vehicle emission control, suspension of road dust, emission control of biomass and garbage burning, industrial emissions control, and air quality monitoring. The Indian government has also implemented measures such as creating a safe zone around the monument, redirecting automobile traffic to electrically-powered vehicles, and installing air quality monitors.
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The impact of industrial emissions
The Taj Mahal is under threat from industrial emissions, with the white marble of this Mughal wonder of the world turning yellow and brown. The battle to save the Taj from pollution has been ongoing since the 1970s, with environmentalists first approaching the Supreme Court of India in 1984. The marble is suspected to have been damaged by acid rain, caused by sulphur dioxide emissions.
Sulphur dioxide has long been considered the main pollutant behind the decay of the Taj Mahal. It is produced by industry, traffic, and the burning of fossil fuels. The city of Agra, where the Taj Mahal is located, has seen a significant rise in pollution levels due to industrial growth. The Indian government has implemented various measures to tackle this issue, including the relocation and closure of polluting industrial units, and the launch of a $30 million project to tackle plastic waste.
The effects of industrial emissions on the Taj Mahal are not limited to discolouration. The marble has also been coated in soot from industrial chimneys, and atmospheric pollutants have caused steady erosion. The worst excesses of soot and sulphur dioxide have been curbed by environmental legislation, but the nitrogen produced by traffic, particularly diesel vehicles, is still a problem.
The wind carries pollutants from the Yamuna River, including hydrogen sulphide, and deposits them on the Taj Mahal. The river is heavily polluted by untreated sewage and industrial waste, creating nutrient-rich waters that allow microorganisms to thrive. The excrement of these insects hastens the damage, causing green and brownish patches on the marble.
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Pollution from the Yamuna River
The Yamuna River, which flows behind the Taj Mahal, is a major source of pollution. The river has lost its biological flow and is extremely dirty, devoid of any aquatic life. The city of Agra dumps its untreated sewage and industrial waste into the river, resulting in nutrient-rich streams. These nutrients are carried by the wind and deposited in the Taj Mahal's porous stonework, allowing microorganisms to thrive and causing discolouration.
The river's pollution has also led to insect infestations, with insects creeping into the Taj Mahal and staining the marble with their excrement. The formation of phosphorous in the river water was initially blamed for the breeding of insects, but a recent study identified hydrogen sulphide as the more likely culprit. This gas is emitted from the polluted river and has been found to be highly corrosive, causing the white marbles of the Taj Mahal to stain and fade over the years.
The wind direction has also played a role in preventing industrial pollutants from directly affecting the monument, as indicated by the wind rose diagram developed during the study. The study, titled "Role of air pollutant for deterioration of Taj Mahal", was conducted by a team of experts and published in the International Journal of Environmental Science and Technology. It recommended that the Yamuna River be cleaned and that the city's sewage be treated before being released into the river.
The Indian government has taken steps to curb pollution in the area, creating a safe zone around the monument and implementing vehicle emission control measures. Private sector players have also offered support, with proposals to pilot technologies for cleaning up the river and managing plastic waste.
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Insect excrement staining the marble
The Taj Mahal, one of the Seven Wonders of the World, has been under attack from insects that breed in the polluted Yamuna River, a large tributary of the Ganges. The river is filled with chemical waste from factories, sewage, and garbage, and provides a perfect breeding ground for insects. The insects then swarm the Taj Mahal, leaving their excrement on the marble walls, causing green and black stains.
The insect excrement is not the only thing staining the marble of the Taj Mahal. The mausoleum has weathered filthy air in Agra, one of India's most polluted cities, turning the white marble yellow and brown. This discolouration is due to air pollution from automobile and factory emissions, India's dependence on coal-burning power, and the burning of biomass, garbage, and other refuse. However, while the insect poop itself may not degrade the white marble, the stains it leaves behind pose a serious problem for conservators.
The marble walls of the Taj Mahal are delicate, and scrubbing the insect excrement off the walls risks damaging the structure. Conservators are facing a losing battle as they try to remove the stains without harming the marble. The constant cleaning is damaging the monument's delicate marble, and the repeated scrubbing can also damage the sheen of the marble. Officials from the Archaeological Survey of India (ASI) have acknowledged that the stains are damaging the marble surface and have started scrubbing the walls every Friday when visitors are not allowed. They use distilled water to clean the walls and ensure that the marble surface is not damaged.
To address the insect infestation, officials have suggested cleaning the Yamuna River and increasing the water level to prevent stagnation and allow for a continuous flow. The river used to be home to small fish that kept the insect population in check, but they are no longer found in the river due to stagnation. ASI officials have also proposed desilting the river and treating the sewage and industrial effluent discharged into it. However, they face challenges as the river falls outside their jurisdiction.
The battle to save the Taj Mahal from the impact of pollution has been ongoing since the 1970s. Environmentalist M. C. Mehta approached the Supreme Court of India in 1984, drawing attention to the yellowing and blackening of the Taj Mahal's marbles, suspected to be caused by 'acid rains' resulting from sulphur dioxide emissions. The Indian government has taken steps to curb air pollution, creating a safe zone around the monument, redirecting automobile traffic, and installing air quality monitors. Private sector players have also offered support, with proposals to eliminate plastic waste and clean up the Yamuna River.
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Government initiatives to combat pollution
The Taj Mahal, one of the Seven Wonders of the World, has been battling the adverse effects of pollution since the 1970s. The white marble structure has been stained and faded over the years, with discolouration being a significant issue. The Indian government has taken several initiatives to combat this problem and preserve the monument.
One notable initiative is the implementation of a safe zone around the Taj Mahal, where automobile traffic has been redirected, and tour buses and cabs are now electrically powered to provide zero emissions. The local government has also installed air quality monitors to gauge the effectiveness of these environmental efforts.
In addition, the city of Agra, where the Taj Mahal is located, launched a comprehensive action plan to control air pollution in 2019. This plan includes measures such as vehicle emission control, suspension of road dust, biomass emission control, and the management of industrial emissions. The government of Uttar Pradesh, the state in which Agra is located, also announced plans to introduce 650 electric buses to the city, with more than 100 already procured.
To address the issue of plastic waste in Agra, the Massive Fund proposed a $30 million project under the Alliance to End Plastic, aiming to eliminate more than 90% of the city's plastic waste. Additionally, the waste management firm Geocycle has piloted a technology to clean up the Yamuna River, which has been identified as a significant source of pollution contributing to the corrosion of the Taj Mahal.
The National Clean Air Programme (NCAP), launched by the Ministry of Environment Forests and Climate Change, aims to improve air quality in 102 Indian cities, including Agra, by 2025. This programme provides a framework for other cities to develop strategies to combat air pollution and its associated health risks.
These initiatives demonstrate the Indian government's commitment to preserving the Taj Mahal and improving air quality in the region. While progress has been made, the battle against pollution is ongoing, and further efforts are necessary to ensure the long-term preservation of this iconic monument.
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Frequently asked questions
The Taj Mahal is mainly polluted by the nearby Yamuna River, which has lost its biological flow and is contaminated with sewage, industrial waste, and chemical and human waste. The wind carries nutrients from the river and deposits them in the Taj's porous stonework, allowing microorganisms to thrive and turn the marble green.
Pollution has caused discolouration of the Taj Mahal's marble, which has turned from white to a yellowy-brown or yellow and green hue. The marble has also been stained by the excrement of insects from the river, and the structure is at risk of destabilisation due to dropping water tables.
The Indian government has implemented measures such as creating a safe zone around the monument, redirecting automobile traffic, and installing air quality monitors. The city of Agra has launched a comprehensive action plan to control air pollution, including vehicle emission control, suspension of road dust, and waste management initiatives.
Visitors can help reduce pollution by following environmental guidelines, such as using electric vehicles, reducing waste, and supporting local initiatives aimed at combating pollution and preserving the monument.
