Taj Mahal Shrouded in Haze as Agra’s Pollution Rises
The famous Taj Mahal in Agra, Uttar Pradesh, was covered in a thick haze on Sunday due to increasing pollution levels. The Air Quality Index (AQI) in Agra’s Manoharpur area was recorded at 190, which is considered ‘moderate’, while the Shahjahan garden area had an AQI of 113. The average AQI for Agra on October 26 was 106, also ‘moderate’.
An AQI between 0-50 is good, 51-100 is satisfactory, 101-200 is moderate, 201-300 is poor, 301-400 is very poor, and 401-500 is severe. A visitor to the Taj Mahal noted that pollution has worsened over the years due to increased industrial activity and traffic. Another visitor mentioned that the haze makes it difficult to see the monument clearly.
Aligarh city also experienced thick haze, and the Yamuna river in Delhi had toxic sludge in the Kalindi Kunj area. The Taj Mahal, a UNESCO World Heritage site, is a major tourist attraction. Recently, Maldives President Mohamed Muizzu and First Lady Sajidha Mohamed visited the Taj Mahal during a bilateral visit to India.
The Health Ministry has urged states to reduce stubble burning and encouraged the use of public transport to combat rising pollution levels.
Doubts Revealed
Taj Mahal -: The Taj Mahal is a famous white marble monument in Agra, India. It was built by Emperor Shah Jahan in memory of his wife Mumtaz Mahal and is one of the Seven Wonders of the World.
Haze -: Haze is a kind of air pollution that makes the air look foggy or unclear. It can be caused by dust, smoke, and other particles in the air.
Agra -: Agra is a city in India where the Taj Mahal is located. It is a popular tourist destination because of this beautiful monument.
Pollution -: Pollution is when harmful substances are added to the environment, making it dirty and unsafe. It can affect the air, water, and land.
AQI -: AQI stands for Air Quality Index. It is a number used to tell how clean or polluted the air is, and what associated health effects might be a concern for people.
Industrial activity -: Industrial activity refers to the work done in factories and industries, which can sometimes release pollutants into the air, contributing to pollution.
Stubble burning -: Stubble burning is when farmers set fire to the leftover straw and crop residues in their fields after harvest. This practice can cause a lot of smoke and air pollution.
Public transport -: Public transport includes buses, trains, and other vehicles that carry many people at once. Using public transport can help reduce pollution because it means fewer cars on the road.
Maldives President Mohamed Muizzu -: Mohamed Muizzu is the President of the Maldives, a small island country in the Indian Ocean. He recently visited the Taj Mahal, showing its importance as a global tourist attraction.