INSUBCONTINENT EXCLUSIVE:
AGRA: Parts of the Taj Mahal's pearly-white exterior are turning green, this time even in winter
According to the Archaeological Survey of India (ASI), the culprit is "Goeldichironomus", an insect species that deposits its droppings on
the monument's marble surface
To counter the problem and find a long-term solution, ASI has embarked on a study this month - which may take up to a year
Superintending archaeologist Rajkumar Patel said on Tuesday that the insect problem has been persistent since 2015, except for 2020 when the
pollution levels were low due to the lockdown
This year, the insect has been present in large numbers and "is still breeding, despite a drop in temperature", said Patel."In previous
years the insects disappeared by October-end
These insects prefer to take short flights away from the water while they mate
North wall is the worst-affected," he added
First spotted in 2015, it leaves dark brown and green stains on the marble and the inlay work
It breeds in the polluted waters of the Yamuna river, an ASI official pointed out
"The ASI has been trying to get rid of the stains by washing them with distilled water and rubbing them with a cotton cloth
But the insect keeps reappearing during its breeding season (between March and April and September and October)," the official added
According to Patel, ASI's chemical department is conducting a detailed study on ways to stop the insects' growth on the monument's surface
He said, "This is not a uniform problem
It is restricted only to the Taj's riverside face."Agra-based doctor and environmentalist Sharad Gupta said, "The solution to this problem
is to increase the water flow in the Yamuna and reduce the pollution levels in the river, which is giving these insects an ideal environment
to breed behind the Taj."
