Chief Minister Akhilesh Yadav has ordered a probe into reports of Taj Mahal getting a green hue because of bugs which perch on intricate designs and leave a green patch on this 17th century marvel of love.
'The Pioneer' had carried a report `Putrid Yamuna Bugs eating up Taj Mahal’ on Sunday highlighting swarms of bugs (Goeldichironomus) breeding on the stagnant water of Yamuna, and infesting the marble walls of the monument. The result is greenish black patches on several places on the intricate floral inlay works.
A government spokesman said in lucknow on Sunday that the CM has taken the report seriously and has asked Divisional Commissioner and DM Agra, ASI and PWD officials to take stock of the situation and suggest a solution.
“laxity on this part wil not be tolerated,” the spokesman said.
As per a report prepared by St John’s College, the polluted Yamuna has been reduced to a swamp with heavy growth algae and deposit of phosphorus (from ash) which are the primary source of food for this particular species of insect.
The insect attack is largely concentrated within a radius of 500 metres, including the rear of the Taj (which is the worst affected), and partially on the sides facing the Mosque and that of Mehmaankhaana (royal guest house).
A series of marble panels depicting plant motifs on the walls or reflective tiles used in this part of the monument are getting disfigured by such bug related depositions.
“We clean up the deposits everyday with water, but they appear again the next day,” said an ASI official, adding that the cause of the problem has to be tackled at the root.