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Impact of Plastic Waste on Historical Monuments in India
editIndia is a country with a rich cultural heritage. Our ancient scriptures and epics have described our country as the golden bird, which once had abundant wealth and prosperity. [1]The ruins of some of the architectural marvels of ancient India like Golden Temple, Sun Temple, Jama Masjid, etc., proves that our ancestors were great architects.
However, these historical monuments of India are now being damaged slowly by the alarming rise in plastic waste generation. Over time several invaders occupied India including Muslims, French and British who ruined and looted many prominent architectural structures like Leaning Tower of Kumbhalgarh Fort in Rajasthan famous for its architecture is leaning unintentionally due to illegal mining(Translated). However, most of the masterpiece constructions survived throughout and even after the attack.
In this article you will see how plastic waste generation affects our historical monuments especially Indian historical Monuments why ground become uneven also limestone become loose what can be causes behind it.
Understanding Plastic Pollution and Its Presence in Heritage Sites
editPlastic pollution is the accumulation of plastic material in the environment that adversely affects wildlife, wildlife habitat or humans.[2] Cleanup costs and damages to tourism, fisheries, and other business incurred by plastic waste have been estimated at $13 billion per year. Long-term exposure to particulate matter even at low levels can cause health effects such as cardiovascular or respiratory disease in a large population over an extended period of time.
The presence of plastic waste in and around these sites is seen in the form of:
edit- Littering by tourists: Visitors frequently leave behind plastic bottles, food wrappers, bags
- Improper waste management: Lack of recycling and waste segregation leads to pile up of wastes in and around the heritage sites.
- Commercial activities: Street vendors and other commercial activities around the monuments generate large scale plastic wastes.
- Water pollution: Rivers and lakes surrounding monuments, such as the Yamuna near the Taj Mahal, are severely polluted with plastic waste causing degradation of the environment.
Case Studies: How Plastic Waste is Affecting Major Monuments
editTaj Mahal, known as the “Crown of Palaces”, is a white marble mausoleum located in Agra, Uttar Pradesh, India. It was built by Mughal emperor Shah Jahan in memory of his third wife, Mumtaz Mahal. It is one of the most famous and beautiful buildings in the world and also a UNESCO World Heritage Site.[3] But today this historical monument has become very dirty because of increasing pollution level in the last few decades.
1. Taj Mahal, Agra
editOne of India's most famous heritage icons, the Taj Mahal, is under threat from plastic waste. [4]The Yamuna River that flows near the monument is choked with plastic waste releasing toxic gases and harboring microbial growth. These pollutants cause the white marble to discolour and turn yellow. Though stringent rules have been imposed on the use of plastic near the Taj Mahal and in Agra, rampant illicit dumping and a lack of proper waste management pose serious problems.
2. Qutub Minar, Delhi
editDelhi's Qutub Minar, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, is endangered by air pollution as well plastic waste. Every day, the monument receives thousands of tourists and visitors many of whom leave behind bottles and wrappers of their snacks. Dirty and unhygienic conditions around the heritage have resulted in litter being strewed all over impacting its surrounding areas making it difficult for the authorized conservation agency.
3. Charminar, Hyderabad
editCharminar, which is one of the most prominent structures in Hyderabad, is encircled by lively markets where plastic is regularly dumped on the streets. Over a period of time this plastic has accumulated near its base and clogged the drains and made it an unhygienic place that not only degrades its overall beauty but also increases seepage damages.
4. Amer Fort, Jaipur
editAmer Fort, one of the historic forts in Rajasthan, has been increasingly marred by plastic pollution caused due to unregulated tourism. The lakes and landscapes surrounding the fort have become dumping areas for the plastic waste affecting its natural beauty and environment as well as hampering its wildlife too.
How Plastic Waste is Harming Historical Monuments
editThe plastic waste is not aesthetically manageable but it has implications for the structural stability and environmental sustainability of cultural heritage sites.
1. Chemical Degradation
editWhen plastic degrades, it releases chemicals that can be absorbed by the environment and some of which are toxic. When they mix with air or water, they weaken this very system of the world—the air and water—leading to the corrosion of many monuments, especially those made from sandstone, marble, and limestone.
2. Blocked Drainage Systems
editPlastics dumped near historical locations block the drainage system.[5] Due to this, water gets logged in and around such places and becomes stagnant. This seepage of the stagnant moisture inside the structures through their porous walls cause extensive damages like cracks, etc.
3. Air Pollution and Smog
editBurning of plastic waste near heritage sites releases harmful gases like dioxins and furans. These pollutants not only cause air pollution but also cause smog. Also, they are one of the contributing factors to increase in global warming as they contain high levels of carbon which is responsible for the greenhouse effect.
4. Biological Growth and Staining
editPlastic waste is highly attractive to insects and rodents, causing a rise in biological growth such as moulds, mosses and fungi on the surfaces of historical monuments. This biological growth causes discoloration of the original material and deteriorates the structure.
Government and Conservation Efforts to Combat Plastic Pollution
editRealizing the threat posed by plastic waste on India’s historic monuments, several measures have been taken up by government agencies as well as non-governmental organizations (NGOs).
1. Banning Single-Use Plastics
editThe Indian government has banned single-use plastics in many states, particularly around heritage sites. The National Green Tribunal (NGT) has actually banned plastic usage near to the Taj Mahal to keep the pollution level in check.
2. Waste Management Initiatives
editSeveral heritage sites now have dedicated waste disposal sites and recycling programs. The Archaeological Survey of India (ASI) has implemented measures to ensure appropriate waste management in heritage zones.
3. Awareness Campaigns
editOrganizations and local authorities conduct cleanliness drives as well as awareness campaigns to educate tourists and vendors about disposing the waste in a responsible manner.
4. Eco-Friendly Tourism Policies
editBiodegradable alternatives and reusable material are being promoted to tourists as well as on vendor areas for sustainable tourism practices.
Conclusion
editThe threat posed on India's ancient monuments by the plastic pollution have been a major concern and need to be work upon. Despite measures being taken to control other factors of pollution, much more needs to be done for the upkeep of these symbols our rich cultural heritage for generations to come. Sustainable/tourism , responsible/garbage waste management, sensitizing community are some of the method that can help us in the protection of our pristine places from this menace , adopting green ways ensuring better alternatives by imposing stringent regulations will lead us definitely lead us four face paced future generation remaining awestruck with their beauty forever.
- ^ "Recycled waste to build replicas of monuments". The Times of India. 2021-04-17. ISSN 0971-8257. Retrieved 2025-03-21.
- ^ Praet, Estelle (2023-05-27). "Plastic pollution: archaeological perspective on an Anthropocene climate emergency". World Archaeology. 55 (3): 329–347. doi:10.1080/00438243.2024.2320123. ISSN 0043-8243.
- ^ whc.unesco.org https://whc.unesco.org/en/statesparties/in. Retrieved 2025-03-21.
{{cite web}}: Missing or empty|title=(help) - ^ whc.unesco.org https://whc.unesco.org/en/list/252/. Retrieved 2025-03-21.
{{cite web}}: Missing or empty|title=(help) - ^ "Wake up! See how pollution is eating away our monuments". India Today. 2015-12-09. Retrieved 2025-03-21.