NEW DELHI (PTI): Taj Mahal, India’s rare historical monument which is losing its luster, is now being protected through several measures taken by the government, including ban on setting up of polluting industry and use of furnace oil and diesel generators in industries around the Taj.
A trapezium surrounding the Taj Mahal has been demarcated and a continuous sculpture dioxide monitoring station has been maintained there since January 1991, according to official sources,
The measures have been taken in view of the white marble monument getting slightly colored.
Analysis of rain water conducted by the Archaeological Survey of India (ASI) indicated that there was no presence of acid deposition but the ambient air quality survey being carried out in and around Agra revealed that the levels of sculpture dioxide are well within the limits while the levels of suspended particulate matter are higher than the limits prescribed, the sources said.
The study conducted by the Birla Institute of scientific research in collaboration with the national remote sensing agency, Hyderabad, indicated that the sculpture dioxide was the major pollutant while oxides of nitrogen can also damage the Taj Mahal.
Apart from these measures, the Mathura refinery in Uttar Pradesh state is continuously monitoring the ambient air quality of Mathura and its adjacent areas since its inception.
The govt. has already closed down the coal based thermal power plant since May 31, 1991, and disclosed the Agra railway station yard.
A network of ambient air quality monitoring stations has been set up and operated in Agra by the Uttar Pradesh pollution control board, the sources said.
The union environment ministry has prescribed the emission standards under the environment (Protection) Act, 1985 and evolved ambient air quality standards as part of the measures.
Industries have been asked to comply with the consent requirements of the state pollution control boards to keep the emissions within the stipulated limits and legal action is being taken against the defaulting units.
The govt. has notified gross and mass emission standards for all vehicles under motor vehicle rules, 1989 and public awareness campaigns have been launched, the sources added.
Article extracted from this publication >> Aug 21, 1992
