With an objective to make the 500-metre area around the Taj Mahal plastic free, "Taj Declaration to beat plastic pollution" adopted ahead of World Environment Day (5 June)
Presence
The Declaration was adopted by Union Culture Minister Mahesh Sharma, who is also the Minister of State for Environment, United Nations Environment Programme Executive Director Erik Solheim and UNEP Goodwill Ambassador and actor Diya Mirza.
Aim
The purpose of the declaration is to make the to rid Agra of plastic, in line with this year's theme for the World Environment Day -- "Beat Plastic Pollution".
Highlights of the event
- Before the adoption of the declaration, the Culture Ministry held a stakeholders' workshop focusing on the measures to curb plastic pollution around Taj Mahal
- Sharma, Solheim and Mirza also participated in a Clean Yamuna Programme on the river-front near the Taj.
Background
- The WHO global air pollution database released in Geneva stated that Agra is the eighth most polluted city in India and due to this air pollution, Taj Mahal is turning yellow and green.
- Environmentalists and historians have long warned about the risk of soot and fumes from factories and tanneries dulling the ivory monument.
- Tiny insects from the drying Yamuna River into which the city pours its sewage crawl into the Taj Mahal, their excrement further staining the marble.
Expected Questions
"Taj Declaration to beat plastic pollution" is adopted to make ___________ meter around Taj Mahal plastic free.
a. 800
b. 1000
c. 500
d. 600
e. 700
The theme of "World Environment Day 2018" is
a. Clear Air - Rights of All
b. Say no to plastic
c. Save Our Monuments from Decay
d. Beat Air Pollution
e. Beat Plastic Pollution
