Reference no: EM133049807

People all over the world would recognize a photo of the Taj Mahal in India's northern city of Agra, whether they have been there or not. One of the seven Wonders of the World, the seventeenth-century Taj Mahal is one of India's most famous buildings, visited by millions of tourists each year and recognized as a world heritage site by UNESCO. Enjoying this level of global esteem, it might be assumed, would guarantee that its preservation and protection would be top priorities for Indian officialdom. But such an assumption would be wrong. Pollution, environmental damage and negligent management of the river Yamuna, have left the building in an unsound state, with crumbling foundations, deterioration of its marble facades and discolouration. The tourist expects to see this jewel of the Mughal era as it is depicted in idealized photos, with shim-mering white marble and set in serene gardens. What the tourist actually sees today is a rapidly deteriorating palace of yellow and green discolouration, with visible signs of damage to the marble facade. Much of the outward damage is being caused by sulphur dioxide (SO2) and particulate matter that combine with the moisture in the air to produce acid rain that causes the yellowing. Diesel emissions and pollutants from industries in the Agra area are largely to blame, including foundries, chemical plants and refineries. India's northern cities are among the most polluted in the world, and the situation is worsened by climate change. The heavily polluted Yamuna River, on whose banks it sits, is drying up, destabilizing the wooden foundations of the building. Waste accumulates in the river, and insects have bred in the contaminated water, leaving green deposits on the buildings. Officials at local and federal level have recognized the need to protect the Taj Mahal. And the Supreme Court of India has held that polluting industries in the vicinity should be closed. But saving the historic monument raises an array of deeper issues. To many, local economic activities must take priority. Environmentalists would argue that this is a short-term perspective: cleaning up or closing down pollutant industries is the only sustainable way forward. Health issues for local residents who are suffering from the high levels of pollution are tied in with the pollution that is devastating the Taj Mahal. Local officials and political leaders are ambivalent. Built by Emperor Shah Jahan, the Taj Mahal dates from the Mughal era, when northern India was ruled by Islamic emperors. Some of India's Hindu nationalist politicians are against conserving this historic monument, as it represents a period similar to the colonialism of British rule. Others say that this is a false analogy: Mughal rulers were Indian, not colonial powers. What is not in dispute is that the tourists who come to Agra generate large revenues. Most countries would consider a world-renowned tourist attraction to be a huge asset to the economy - and the country's global image. In addition, UNESCO has urged India to take action to conserve the site as one of global cultural heritage.