Effects of pollution on historical monuments By:Seo Young Hwa, T.Sai Kiran, S.Leela & Y.Vikram

Taj Mahal turning yellow The Taj Mahal, one of India's most famed monuments, has been gradually yellowing due to air pollution, authorities say. Plans are afoot to give the white marble structure a mud bath - the mud will absorb the dirt already accumulated as it dries and is then washed off. The cost has been assessed at US$230,000, and will need to be repeated every two to three years.

Introduction The Taj Mahal is a tomb built in the 17th century by Mughal ruler Shah Jahan in memory of his wife, Mumtaz Mahal. It is in the city of Agra, Uttar Pradesh, Republic of India. Widely thought of as one of the most beautiful buildings in the world, it is one of India's biggest tourist attractions. It was chosen as one of the New Seven Wonders of the World in 2007. It is listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site, together with the Agra Fort, 2.5 kilometers away.

Writing on Taj People visit Taj Mahal go around and write their names, family, lovers names, and spoil the beauty of Taj Mahal. Every day thousands of people visit Taj and many of them engrave their names spoiling the beauty of Taj Mahal.

Factories around Taj Mahal Their was the Mathura Oil Factory near the Taj and also the Highway, all the emissions from the vehicles and the factory used to go up into the atmosphere and then the sulphur dioxide dissolves in water vapour forming Sulphuric Acid hence turning the Limestone(which is basically calcium carbonate) in to calcium Sulphate and hence the Taj was Turning yellow and also the rain would disfigure the detail on the Taj.

Measures taken by Government of India  Now their is a Green Zone near the Taj ie all automobiles running on fossil fuels are not allowed near the Taj and the Mathura oil factory has been shut down. Now to get to the Taj u get 0 Emission vehicles which will transport zero from the edge of the green zone to the gate of the Taj and vice versa.

Charminar Effects of pollution

Introduction The Charminar, built in 1591 CE, is a monument and mosque located in Hyderabad, Andhra Pradesh, India. The landmark has become a global icon of Hyderabad, listed among the most recognized structure. The Charminar is on the east bank of Musi river. To the northeast lies the Laad bazaar and in the west end lies the granite-made richly ornamented Makkah Mazjid.

Effects of Pollution The 400-year-old Charminar - the most recognizable symbol of Hyderabad -and other ancient monuments within the 300 metre heritage zone in the area are turning black due to pollution and their plasters are peeling off due to constant vibrations caused by passing vehicles, is the considered opinion of conservation architects and environmentalists.

Effects of Pollution Conservationists blamed the government for failing to protect the Charminar precincts, a key requisite for acquiring UNESCO's world heritage status. They have urged the government to immediately implement the long-pending pedestrianization project, which involves traffic management and development of environs to conserve the heritage identity of the precinct.

1000 Pillars Temple of Orugallu (Warangal) Other monuments After Before 1000 Pillars Temple of Orugallu (Warangal)

Hampi After Before

Steps taken to conserve monuments (by govt. of India) Structural Conservation The monuments and sties that received nominal funds and attention way back in 19th century was Taj Mahal, Tomb at Sikandara, Qutb Minar, Sanchi and Mathura. Based on the proposal submitted in 1898, 5 Circles were constituted to do the Archaeological work in India. These Circles were required to devote themselves entirely to conservation work.

Chemical Preservation The Archaeological Survey of India’s Science Branch is responsible mainly for the chemical conservation treatment and preservation of some three thousand five hundred ninety three Protected monuments besides chemical preservation of museum and excavated objects countrywide.  The real challenge before us is to plan the necessary measures of conservation with a view to assure the survival of these built cultural heritage and unique symbols of our civilizations for centuries to come, with as little intervention as possible but without altering or modifying in any way the authenticity of their original character. To ensure the stability as well as proper conservation of our cultural heritage, there is a need to give more thrust to the scientific research in conservation options must be based on a preliminary investigation which includes the knowledge of physical nature of the object (constituent materials, architectural characteristics, production techniques, state of decay) and of the factors which induce or could induced its decay. In other words, as in the case of medical study the field of conservation therapy to be based on a correct diagnosis. 

Conservation of monuments (in other countries) For the 185 monuments, or groups of monuments, in the care of Built Heritage, maintenance and repair are usually carried out by our Conservation Works Team. This includes a number of large and complex sites, such as Carrickfergus Castle and Derry City Walls. Conservation Case Studies shows examples of the work we have carried out recently. Other monuments, particularly those which are scheduled, are usually conserved by working with the owner to establish a Management Agreement. Under these agreements we can offer detailed advice and specifications and contribute towards costs of the conservation scheme. Management Agreements can be arranged on a wide variety of sites, from standing stones to earthworks such as forts or the ruins of masonry monuments like churches or castles. A number of masonry monuments are included in the Built Heritage at Risk NI (BHARNI) Register with the aim of targeting conservation resources towards this particularly vulnerable group of sites. Built Heritage also works with the Department of Agriculture and Rural Development (DARD) through the Northern Ireland Countryside Management Scheme to provide advice on protecting and conserving monuments on agricultural land. Those participating in the scheme are eligible for payment for basic maintenance works to keep their monument in good condition. Your local DARD Countryside Management Inspector will be able to offer you more information on this.

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