G. L Khajuria
Out of seven wonders of the world, Taj Mahal of Agra occupies fourth position, a rich national heritage to preserved it for the generations to some by. This mausoleum was constructed by Shah Jahan who reigned (1627- 1658 AD ) after the death of Jehangir. In Mughal’s parlance, this architectural monument was called Rauja Taj Mahal in the everlasting memory of Mumtaz – the beloved wife of Shah Jahan in Agra along bank side of pious river of pristine glory the Yumuna. In the chronicles of Indian History, it took around twenty two years to construct this architectural Monument which find its unique importance globally. And it costed around three Crores and twenty thousand workmen of utmost architectural calibre were-deployed to construct this monument of ample importance where the emperor Shah Jahan’s wife Mumtaz was laid down.
But ironically, over the remote past with off -shooting urbanisation and ever-amounting industrialisation, this beautiful monument was and is subject to loose luster of its pristine grandeur and glory-literally speaking, Taj signifies crown, priceless and beyond all values a treasure of love and compassion. In other way round, this is the Crown of India and its architecture. Needless to add that there is ever-increasing rush of men, women of all hues those of India and more so from abroad who travel over here to adore the mediaval masterminded monument renowned world over.
A French traveller who visited Taj as far back as in sin 1660 AD commented, the Superb monument is sufficient to show that Indian are no ignorant of architecture. On the same analogy, Sir Edwin wrote, Not architecture; as all others are, but the proud passion of an emperor’s love; wrought into living stone which gleams and soars with exotic baby with of beauty shining soul and thought. These are the showers of praise made over by many more travellers of foreign origin whose indelible prints shall stay so long as human survival exists with spinning wheel of time.
A few decades or so back, Apex Court ordered the closure of around 250 most polluting Industries to save this most revered architectural monument world over. Everybody, including Govt. Agencies, NGO’s and other allied agencies are well versed with the off-shooting troubles to which the worldly renowned monument is subjected to desertification. The Archaeological Survey of India , the Environmental Ministry and every one else is overwhelmingly worried about its everlong survivality.
The milk white, marbled monument attracts the travellers, visitors of all hues around the world in lacs every year upon which subsist lakhs of people in and around the vicinity of Agra’s Taj Mahal. Not only that this monument is the pivot of realm of poetic fancy and many filmy Lyrics have scripted songs over emphasizing its grandeur and glory. Ironically, however, over the years, the emission of CO, CO2, SO2 and other poisonous gases emanating from ever-escalating industrialisation, urbanisation and smoky emissions from trafficking vehicles are day in and day out hard-hitting this precious monument, so to say, these emitting soots of varied hues are yellowing this marble mausoleum to a larger extent and if so remains the situation, the day is not far off when it lustrous look shall fade away and it will loose its diamond-dparkling beauty and glory.
A long distant battle for over 45 years loomed large in the early seventies and a renowned lawyer of Delhi by his coveted dints made all out efforts taking the issues to Apex Court which eftssonly neared ending when Apex Court issued orders for closing around 200, most polluting industries around Taj trapezium. And with this most apt decision bestowed the ray of hope that the White-domed paean to compassion will be afooted to enamors and amuse, many more traveller, pilgrims, vistors of all hues from abroad, what to talk of India to the least. The Apex Court directive enforced in the legal spirit to the industrialist to close these units or unless, no new devices are inventorised to control pollution. Of the few however, instantly responded with plea that effluent treatment plants should be given some spell for efficacies.
This marble mausoleum has at all costs are to be restored and safeguarded from the cruel engulfing of the polluting industries and around 3,000 foundries and other poisonous industries and the ever-mounting 80,000 odd vehicles that ply on this National Highway which have over the years spewed SO2 of the disastrous magnitude coupled with other most dreadful noxious gases, sheer filth and dust gattering in the ever-increasing process. The Central Board of Prevention and Control of water Pollution said that the prevailing wind direction was from Mathura to Agra and that efforts should be made to relocate the existing small industries particularly the foundries, in an area north east of Agra.
As per the version of an Environmentalist, It is problem that goes beyond the Taj’ think also of the beautification that pollution is causing to the millions of people living in and around it . Think also of the endangered ‘Bharatpur’ Bird sanctuary situated within Taj Trapezium.