Question : Impact of Pollution on Historical Monuments

(a) whether the Government''s attention is drawn towards monuments adversely affected by contaminated air and pollutants, particularly those built in white marble or limestone;
(b) if so, whether the Government has conducted any survey/study of the monuments which are severely affected by pollution and if so, the details and outcome thereof;
(c) the details of monuments which have been revived so far including Red Fort;
(d) the details of monuments in respect of which the damage caused by pollution is not reversible; and
(e) the steps taken/being taken by the Government to protect the monuments in the country from damages caused by pollution?

MINISTER OF STATE (INDEPENDENT CHARGE) FOR ENVIRONMENT, FOREST AND CLIMATE CHANGE

(SHRI PRAKASH JAVADEKAR)

(a) Yes Sir.

(b) to (e) The Archaeological Survey of India (ASI) and Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB) are continuously monitoring ambient air quality in 254 cities / towns in the country including vulnerable monuments. The climatic conditions around the monuments also play a very important role in dispersal of pollutants as well as on the impact of pollutants on monuments like Taj Mahal, Red Fort, Humayuns Tomb etc. The conditions of monuments is constantly assessed and reviewed. Regular scientific cleaning and other treatments to such monuments are also given for removal of harmful deposits and improve the look aesthetically. By such actions, adverse effects on the monuments are minimized. ASI is constantly monitoring the situation and applying the remedial measures regularly. No specific nation wide study has been done to assess the impact of the pollutants on monuments has been done by Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change / CPCB.

The Government of India was taken several steps to check the adverse effects of pollution to minimize the impact of air pollution include:

• Notification of National Ambient Air Quality Standards (2009), envisaging 12 pollutants;
• Formulation of environmental regulations / statutes;
• Setting up of monitoring network for assessment of ambient air quality;
• Introduction of cleaner / alternate fuels like gaseous fuel (CNG, LPG etc.), ethanol blend etc.;
• Promotion of cleaner production processes;
• Setting up Taj Trapezium Zone Authority to protect the Taj from pollution.

Taking note of the gravity of air pollution, the Government has taken some more measures which include:

• Launched Clean India Mission (Swatch Bharat Abhiyan) on 2nd October, 2014;
• Launched National Air Quality index by the Prime Minister in April, 2015;
• Implementation of Bharat Stage IV (BS IV) norms in 63 selected cities and universalization of BS IV by 2017;
• Decision taken to leapfrog directly from Bharat Stage IV to BS-IV fuel standards by 1st April, 2020;
• Taxing polluting vehicles and incentivizing hybrid and electric vehicles.
• Comprehensive amendments to various Waste Management Rules including Municipal Solid Waste, Plastic Waste, Hazardous Waste, Bio-medical Waste and Electronic Waste notified;
• Notification of Construction and Demolition Waste Management Rules.
• Ban on burning of leaves, biomass, municipal solid waste;
• Levying environment compensation charge on goods vehicles entering Delhi;
• Promotion of public transport network of metro, buses, e-rickshaws and promotion of car polling, lane discipline and vehicle maintenance;
• Revision of existing environmental standards and formulation of new standards for prevention and control of pollution from industries;
• Issuance of directions under section 18(1) (b) of The Air (Prevention and Control of Pollution) Act, 1981 to enforcing agencies.
• Installing on-line continuous (24x7) monitoring devices;

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