1.Some facts about Taj Mahal2.Problems concerning Taj

Mahal- Acid rain3.Effects of Acid rain4.Marble Cancer5.Waste deposition in river

Yamuna6.Effects of waste deposition on

Taj Mahal7.Oil refineries near Taj Mahal8.Pollution due to Oil refineries9.Steps taken by government10.Illicit carving on the walls of

Taj Mahal11.What can we do to save Taj

Mahal?12.Conclusion

Acid Rain Acid rain is a form of precipitation with high levels of

nitric and sulfuric acids. This is often proved to be harmful for human beings, plants, animals and even buildings.  This can occur in the form of rain, snow, fog, hail or even dust that is acidic.  This is one of the major threat which the Taj Mahal also faces. The principal or main source of acid rain are factories, and motor vehicles.

Effects Of Acid rain On Taj Mahal

Taj Mahal is situated in Agra- a highly industrial area. The air in this place contains serious levels of sulphur and nitrogen oxides. This is due to the large number of power plants and industries set up around this area. All these led to acid rain. Acid rain reacts with the marble of Taj Mahal. This causes damage to this wonderful structure, which had attracted many people from different parts of the world. The colour of its white marble has turned to yellow.

Marble Cancer When marble(Calcium Carbonate) comes in

contact with acids corrodes by a chemical reaction and forms a layer of CaOH(Calcium Hydroxide)over its surface. This deposited layer of CaOH over the marble looks like a cancerous growth. This phenomenon is known as Marble Cancer. As per a report in the year 2011, Taj Mahal is a victim of marble cancer.

Due to marble cancer the precious stone Onyx used in the monument has developed greenish patches to destroy the beauty of the monument.

Deposition of waste in river Yamuna

The Yamuna is one of the most important rivers of north India. At one time, it was the lifeline for the people of the area, but today it is one of the most polluted rivers of the world. The amount of annual wastes collected in the river is measured in tonnes. The main cause of this accumulation of wastes is the releasing of untreated factory wastes into the river.

Effects of waste deposition on Taj Mahal

The increase of waste deposition in the river Yamuna is another threat to the monument. Due to the acummulation of wastes, the places close to the monument has become a breeding ground for mosquitoes because of the abundance of algae. These mosquitoes swarm and secrete green slimy substances on the walls of Taj Mahal, helping to the further discolouring of the monument.

These insects descend on the marble walls in the evening which is a cause of disturbance for tourists.

Green Patches on Taj Mahal

Oil Refineries near Taj Mahal Oil refineries cause smog and air pollution.

On an average, a typical oil refinery emits about 100 chemicals every day. They emit many gases like sulphur dioxide (SO2), nitrogen oxide (NO2), carbon dioxide, etc. There are many oil refineries in Agra the biggest among them being the Mathura Oil Refinery. It is presently about 47km from the monument, which is enough to damage the monument.

Pollution due to Oil Refineries

Oil refineries, especially the Mathura oil refinery, close to the monument releases toxic gases such as sulphur dioxide, nitrogen oxide, etc. into the air. These gases are the major gases causing acid rain, which, as we have already seen, leads to the discolouring of the monument. Besides, the dust released from these settles on the walls of the monument destroying the beauty of the monument.

These refineries also release untreated wastes into the river Yamuna which further helps in the degradation of the monument.

Steps taken by Government To protect Taj Mahal, the Government of India

announced an action plan in 1995. The plan aims at clearing the air in 'Taj Trapezium Zone(TTZ)'. Taj Trapezium refers to an area of 10,400 sq km that includes towns of Agra, Mathura, Bharatpur and Firozabad.

In August 1999, the Supreme Court struck ordering the closure of 53 iron foundries and 107 other factories in Agra that have been blamed for the discolouring of the monument.

As a result of this plan, over 2000 industries situated inside the TTZ had switched over to the use of liquefied petroleum gas or natural gas in the place of coal or oil.

Illicit carving on the walls Recently a new problem has come up. Local

people carve or write on the walls of the monument. They, by writing on the walls offend both the monument and the country.

Through this act they show disgrace to the monument and the various artisans who made this beautiful monument. They are not aware that they are destroying the beauty of the monument.

They also bring disgrace to the country before the tourists from all over the world by doing this act.

What can we do to save Taj Mahal ?

We, the citizens of India also have the duty of protecting the Taj Mahal.

We have to spread awareness about the threat faced by the monument and urge the government to take quick steps to combat this issue.

We should not throw wastes into rivers. We should not carve on the walls of

monuments and inspire others too, not to carve on the walls.

To Conclude…. This is not just the story of Taj Mahal; It is

the story of all the monuments in India. This was a medium through which we got the opportunity to convey to all of you the need to protect these monuments. Monuments are the fruits of incessant labour, hard work and the beautiful creations of our ancestors. So, we do not have the right to destroy them.

It is the duty of each and every citizen of India to protect the Taj Mahal India’s Pride!!