AGRA -The lustrous white marble walls of the Taj Mahal have been yellowed by air pollution, but now India’s showcase monument faces a fresh threat – from green insect poop!
Authorities ordered an investigation after green-tinged patches began appearing on the back wall of the monument, which stands on the banks of the heavily polluted Yamuna river.
Environmentalists believe the pollutants in the river have caused a rise in levels of algae, which has in turn led to a surge in the numbers of the insects which feed on it. And these insects obviously use the shining Taj walls as their personal toilets!
The alert was sounded by environmental activist DK Joshi. “Three types of insects breeding in the stagnant and polluted waters of the Yamuna flowing behind the Taj Mahal are causing the problem,” he claimed.
“They’re attracted to the white sheen of the marble and the swarms are leaving behind greenish-black faeces, which is discolouring the ancient monument.”
India’s National Green Tribunal, which hears cases related to environmental protection, raised the issue last week. Now the state government of Uttar Pradesh, home to the world’s most famous tomb, has ordered an inquiry.
“The state government is extremely concerned about this issue. People can rest assured that we will let no harm come to the Taj Mahal,” the chief minister’s spokesman Rajendra Chaudhary told the media in Lucknow. He said the chief minister, Akhilesh Yadav, had ordered officials to find urgent solutions.
The Taj – India’s top tourist attraction – was built by Mughal emperor Shah Jahan as a tomb for his beloved wife Mumtaz Mahal, who died giving birth in 1631Authorities have taken steps in recent years to try to protect the 17th-century monument from pollution from the nearby busy city of Agra, including banning local coal-powered industries.
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