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Crematorium near Taj Mahal must be moved, Indian supreme court rules Crematorium near Taj Mahal must be moved, Indian supreme court rules
(about 1 hour later)
India’s supreme court has ordered a state government to remove a wood-burning crematorium near the Taj Mahal to protect the monument from pollution damage.India’s supreme court has ordered a state government to remove a wood-burning crematorium near the Taj Mahal to protect the monument from pollution damage.
The judges made their order after receiving a letter from another supreme court judge, who said he had noticed the mausoleum spewing smoke and ash during a recent visit to the monument and was concerned about the impact of air pollution on the marble structure. The judges made the order after receiving a letter from another supreme court judge, who said he had noticed the mausoleum spewing smoke and ash during a recent visit to the monument and was concerned about the impact of air pollution on the marble structure.
In their order, the two judges suggested the government of Uttar Pradesh could move the wood-burning crematorium and also build an electric one at the current site. This would allow people wanting to use wood pyres to do so, while others could use the electric crematorium, they said.In their order, the two judges suggested the government of Uttar Pradesh could move the wood-burning crematorium and also build an electric one at the current site. This would allow people wanting to use wood pyres to do so, while others could use the electric crematorium, they said.
Hindus traditionally cremate their dead using wood fires. The government has been trying to encourage people to use electricity-powered crematoriums.Hindus traditionally cremate their dead using wood fires. The government has been trying to encourage people to use electricity-powered crematoriums.
The Taj Mahal is visited by more than 3 million tourists a year. Its domes and minarets, inlaid with semi-precious stones and carvings, are considered the finest examples of Mughal art in India. It was declared a Unesco world heritage site in 1983. The Taj Mahal is visited by more than three million tourists a year. Its domes and minarets, inlaid with semi-precious stones and carvings, are considered the finest examples of Mughal art in India. It was declared a Unesco world heritage site in 1983.
The monument, which rests on the banks of the Yamuna river in the city of Agra, was built in the 17th century by Mogul Emperor Shah Jahan in memory of his wife, Mumtaz Mahal, who died while giving birth to their 14th child.The monument, which rests on the banks of the Yamuna river in the city of Agra, was built in the 17th century by Mogul Emperor Shah Jahan in memory of his wife, Mumtaz Mahal, who died while giving birth to their 14th child.
Over the decades, the once pearly white building has been turning yellow because of pollution. The government has closed scores of nearby factories and has tried to provide uninterrupted power to Agra residents so they do not have to rely on diesel-operated generators. Over the decades, the once pearly white building has been turning yellow because of pollution. The government has closed scores of nearby factories and tried to provide uninterrupted power to Agra residents so they do not have to rely on diesel-operated generators.
This year the state government banned the burning of cow dung fuel cakes in the city to prevent the smoke from affecting the Taj Mahal. Dried cow dung cakes are commonly used in rural areas as a cheap source of fuel.This year the state government banned the burning of cow dung fuel cakes in the city to prevent the smoke from affecting the Taj Mahal. Dried cow dung cakes are commonly used in rural areas as a cheap source of fuel.
The court ordered the government of Uttar Pradesh to announce its plans for the crematorium within 15 days.The court ordered the government of Uttar Pradesh to announce its plans for the crematorium within 15 days.