10. Describe the threat to the beauty of the Taj Mahal.
The industries located in and around Agra have been responsible for producing pollutants like sulphur dioxide and nitrogen dioxide. These gases react with the water vapour present in the atmosphere to form sulphuric acid and nitric acid. The acids drop down with rain, making the rain acidic. Acid rain corrodes the marble of the monument. The phenomenon is also called “Marble cancer”. These suspended particulate matter, such as the soot particles emitted by an oil refinery, has contributed towards the yellowing of the marble. The Supreme Court has taken several steps to save the Taj. It has ordered industries to switch to cleaner fuels like CNG (Compressed Natural Gas) and LPG (Liquefied Petroleum Gas). Moreover, automobiles should switch over to unleaded petrol in the Taj zone.