Short Note on Taj Mahal and Acid Rain

Taj Mahal, being one of the seven wonders and one of the most beautiful monuments of the world, attracts international tourists throughout the year. It was built along the bank of river Yamuna by Mughal Emperor Shahajahan in memory of his beloved wife Mumtaz more than 350 years back in Agra. It is now included in the list of World Heritage due to its archaeological importance.

In 1972, Government of India established Mathura Oil Refinery in Mathura. This step was most resented by various environmentalists of the country and protested that its air pollutants were harmful to Taj Mahal. During the oil refining process, Sulphur dioxide (SO2) is released in a large quantity along with the smoke. Air containing SO2 blow all round and reacts with water during rains. SO2 combines with water to form Sulphur us acid (H2SO3) and sulphuric acid (H2SO4) and produces acid rains. Environmentalists protested that acid rain causes damage to the marbles of Taj Mahal.

The white marble has yellowed and blackened in places. Government constituted a committee in 1974 to find out the fact and authorized Italian Company Technico to evaluate the changes occurring in the air due to Mathura Oil Refinery of Indian Oil Corporation. According to the report of the committee and determinations carried out by Italian company, it was concluded that in Agra the quantity of SO2 would increase up to 1-3 microgram which is negligible and harmless to the Taj Mahal.

However, WHO (1982) has recognized ‘Taj Trapezium Zone’ (TTZ) (50 km radius area) to protect the monument from pollution hazards. Burning of coal and wood fuel has been banned in TTZ. Supreme Court has ordered to set up a solar power plant for energy requirement of TTZ.