Question

List any three legislative measures to protect the Taj Mahal monument.

Answer 1

Three legislative measures enacted to protect the Taj Mahal are:

1. The Air (Prevention and Control of Pollution) Act, 1981: This law regulates air pollution levels in India. The Taj Mahal, being threatened by air pollution, particularly from nearby industries, prompted action under this act. Industrial emissions in the area have been regulated to preserve the monument’s pristine white marble.
2. Supreme Court's 1996 Directive: Following a Public Interest Litigation (PIL) by environmental lawyer M.C. Mehta, the Supreme Court of India directed the relocation or conversion of industries around the Taj Mahal to cleaner energy sources like natural gas. This measure aimed to reduce the impact of pollution from the "Taj Trapezium Zone" (TTZ), a 10,400 sq km area surrounding the monument.
3. The Ancient Monuments and Archaeological Sites and Remains Act, 1958: This act provides for the preservation of ancient and historical monuments, including the Taj Mahal. It prohibits construction activities near the monument and provides guidelines for its conservation and maintenance by the Archaeological Survey of India (ASI).