Why the Taj Mahal is turning green and brown?

NEW DELHI: Taj Mahal listed as one of the wonders of the world is turning green and brown due to pollution. The white marbled 17th century UNESCO World heritage site is said to be in need of a much needed clean up.

According to reports the situation has become so dire that India’s Supreme Court has ordered the government to seek foreign help if they are unable to figure out the solution.

The problem is due to both sewage in the nearby Yamuna river which attracts millions of insets, together with pollutants in the air.

In the past, the government has closed down thousands of factories near the Taj Mahal, but activists say the marble is still losing its lustre.

Situated by the Yamuna River in Agra which was once believed to carry waters that could cure people of ailment has now been declared contaminated by the India’s central water commission in a report stating;

“Contamination level is irreversible, water is unusable both for irrigation and drinking”.

The polluted water is said to be drawing bugs, which are adding to the discolouration of the building.

The Taj Mahal was built by the Mughal Emperor Shah Jahan in the city of Agra and is now one of the world’s leading tourist attractions, drawing as many as 70,000 people every day.