Question

Beauty of Taj may be destroyed by-
a. Flood in Yamuna
b. Temperature mediated spoilage of marble
c. Air pollutants from Mathura refinery
d. All of the above

Answer 1

Hint: Legal discharge limits have been long contested by developers and are broadly ignored. Untreated manure and industrial waste pour in from the city, forming nutrient-rich waters. These nutrients are then caught up by the wind and deposited in the Taj’s increasingly porous stonework, permitting river-derived microorganisms to flourish on its surfaces, coloring them green.

Complete answer:
In the happening of heavy rain in the area, glut water is exuded from some industrial areas causing a high-level rise of Yamuna. Apart from this, the temperature does not play a significant role in the spoilage of the marble of the Taj.

The Mathura Refinery located close to the Taj Mahal is a hazard to the marble of the Taj Mahal because the Refinery discharges the air pollutants in the figure of oxides of sulfur, oxides of nitrogen, and oxides of carbon. These oxides then do the reaction with water and precipitate in the form of nitric acid and sulphuric acid known as acid rains. Acid rains have resulted in the deterioration of the marble, making it emerge yellow.

The Taj Mahal is a wonder of the current world, but this nationwide and international treasure requires swift and important action if it is not to go down its legendary luster.

Hence, the correct answer is option (C).

Note: The saying goes that the Taj Mahal is rose-pink in the morning, creamy white in the evening, and golden when the moon shines. Though this may once have been factual for the notably pristine marble monument, a combination of pollution and deprived management has now burdened the Taj with a 24-hour layer of yellow-brown. Accusing the “lethargy” of restoration efforts, the Supreme Court of India recently told the government to re-establish the Taj or demolish it.