The excitement surrounding visiting the Taj Mahal, considered one of the Seven Wonders of the World, is slowly fading away. Rising pollution levels and vast environmental disruptions have been responsible for decaying the marble used to build the monument, along with other potential reasons a lot are unaware of.
What is so great about the Taj Mahal?
There are many reasons why the Taj Mahal, situated in Agra, India, is visited by millions of people all across the globe. The Taj Mahal is an architectural marvel built by Mughal Emperor Shah Jahan to commemorate the memory of his wife, Mumtaz Mahal. The site was designated as a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1983, recognised for its precise architectural brilliance and design. It exemplifies the theme of prehistoric India under the rule of the Mughal Dynasty.
The Taj Mahal photo, in particular, shows the vitality of the site and the amount of time and effort it took to build this mausoleum. Approximately 20,000 artisans and craftsmen from India and other international regions such as Persia, the Ottoman Empire and Europe provided their best efforts and labor to complete this masterpiece. It took 22 years for the entire project to reach its conclusion and be what it is today.
Why is the trend of visiting the Taj Mahal fading away slowly?
Despite its cultural history and the love it signifies between Shah Jahan and Mumtaz, the mausoleum has fallen prey to widespread ill environmental consequences, affecting its outlook and magnificence. The monument, built of white marble, is now turning yellow due to massive air pollution. Over time, the marble, composed of calcium carbonate (CaCO3), has absorbed too much CO2, which has reacted with water, coming from acid raid to form carbonic acid (H2CO3).
Carbonic acid then reacts with the marble’s calcium carbonate to dissolve, creating surface degeneration and causing yellow rust. Moreover, marble contains small residues of iron termed “iron impurities”. When these impurities are exposed to water and oxygen, they turn into iron oxide (Fe2O3), eventually giving the marble a yellowish or brownish tint. The reaction did not happen in a day. It took years and years of uncontrolled air pollution to erode the marble and make it yellowish.
Taj Mahal is also surrounded by thick smog, a type of air pollution caused by smoke, fog, and other pollutants. The cause of this smog is illegal human activity, such as the excess burning of trash, fossil fuels, agricultural residue, and widespread industrial pollution.
Moreover, overcrowding has also been one of the key reasons that has significantly raised the humidity of the place, which has affected the inlay decorations of the Taj Mahal, making it comparatively less attractive than before. It is also an argument that the Archaeological Survey of India (ASI) may or may not have enough funds to manage and address these problems, which might critically affect and restrict the overcrowding of people visiting the place anytime soon.
Another significant reason why people might stop visiting the place is due to issues surrounding its structural integrity. The ongoing restoration processes will ensure that no one is allowed to visit the monument in the future, as active tourism will act as a distraction to this noble cause, which might also delay the process.
Moreover, millions of tourists visiting the place will probably lead to stricter visitor policies, which might drastically reduce the overgrowing number of people visiting the monument or permanently ban visitors from visiting the site. It is a boon that awareness concerning the degradation that the Taj Mahal has faced in the past has significantly grown in the last few decades, culminating in a situation where people have consciously stopped overcrowding the place for moral reasons. Moreover, Agra is a region susceptible to natural disasters, including earthquakes and flooding, which has often made authorities restrict visitation to this region.
How are the lawmakers and legal authorities of India responding to this issue?
The Supreme Court of India has strictly issued a series of orders that primarily aim to preserve the sanctity, historical significance, and outlook of the Taj Mahal. A significant action was taken against the Agra Development Authority to immediately stop all regional commercial activities, particularly within 500 meters of the monument. As per the order, a no-construction zone was also created, which effectively restricts vehicle movement and permanently prohibits burning wood and non-biodegradable waste in the region. The Supreme Court of India also ordered industries in the Taj Trapezium Zone to relocate or switch from using fossil fuels such as coal to natural gas and renewable energy alternatives.
The government of Uttar Pradesh was also urged to submit a 100-year plan which would ensure the protection of the monument and its safety from pollution of any kind, both air and water. The plan would include a few additional clauses associated with closing down more industrial outlets, developing and reorganizing existing sewage treatment plants, transitioning existing industries to green businesses, emphasizing the usage of more green energy than usual and less dependency on fossil fuels. The aim is to dissolve the thick smog, which is why this gigantic monument has turned yellowish, pale, and far off from what it looked like 0-30 years ago.
Verdict
Despite this order of actions, it is unlikely that the monument will be fixed in a month or a year. It will take years and years of consistent efforts and discipline to get results and outcomes, making this place one of the most prominent and attractive places for people in India and other international areas to visit. Therefore, you, the readers, are advised to visit the place as soon as possible, as you never know what might happen in the future and how ongoing restoration events might limit the scope of visitation, where travel lovers like you and me will forever have the guilt and a sense of missed opportunity.
FAQ
What makes the Taj Mahal so special?
The Taj Mahal is an architectural marvel built by Mughal Emperor Shah Jahan in memory of his beloved wife, Mumtaz Mahal. It is globally recognized for its intricate design, impressive craftsmanship, and deep symbolic significance of eternal love. As one of the Seven Wonders of the World and a UNESCO World Heritage Site, it attracts millions of visitors every year.
Why is the Taj Mahal turning yellow?
The yellowing of the Taj Mahal’s white marble is due to pollution and environmental factors. The marble, primarily made of calcium carbonate, reacts with pollutants like sulfur dioxide and nitrogen oxides, forming acid rain. This acid rain erodes the marble’s surface, and iron impurities in the marble oxidize, creating a yellowish or brownish tint over time.
How is pollution affecting the Taj Mahal?
Pollution has significantly degraded the Taj Mahal’s white marble, turning it yellow due to smog and industrial emissions. The combination of air pollution, illegal activities like burning trash and fossil fuels, and industrial outputs in the nearby area has led to marble discoloration, surface erosion, and weakening of the monument’s structural integrity.
What actions are being taken to preserve the Taj Mahal?
The Supreme Court of India has implemented several measures to protect the Taj Mahal. These include halting commercial activities within 500 meters of the monument, establishing a no-construction zone, limiting vehicle access, and encouraging nearby industries to switch from coal to cleaner energy sources like natural gas. Additionally, a long-term preservation plan has been developed to protect the site from further damage.
Can tourists still visit the Taj Mahal?
Yes, tourists can still visit the Taj Mahal. However, due to ongoing restoration work, pollution control measures, and concerns about structural integrity, access may become more restricted in the future. Stricter visitor policies or even a potential ban on tourism could be enforced to protect the monument from further damage.
Why might visitation to the Taj Mahal be restricted or stopped?
Visitation might be restricted or even banned due to the need for restoration efforts, environmental degradation, overcrowding, and the monument’s declining structural integrity. Active tourism can hinder restoration work, and the impact of millions of visitors could result in stricter controls or limited access.
How long did it take to build the Taj Mahal?
It took 22 years to complete the construction of the Taj Mahal. Approximately 20,000 artisans and craftsmen from various regions, including Persia, the Ottoman Empire, and Europe, worked on building this magnificent structure.
