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Emperor Shahjahan should rest easy in his tomb. The Uttar Pradesh (UP) government has given a nod to the second phase of afforestation around the marble wonder, estimated to cost Rs 15.90 crore. There are, however, conflicting reports on whether the first phase of the afforestation programme has actually brought down pollution levels around the Taj.

The UP Pollution Control Board (UPPCB) states that pollution levels are lower than 1991, when the afforestation project was started. The UPPCB regional officer S R Sachan insists that the SO 2 and NO 2 levels have come down to the permissible limit of 15 micrograms per year.

The Archaeological Survey of India (ASI) does not agree.The ASI report states that there is no decline in the suspended particulate matter (SPM) level. These have actually increased even after the polluting units were closed down in pursuance of the Supreme Court order. In fact, the SO 2 level is high at 23 micrograms according to its January 2002 study (see Down To Earth , Vol 10, No 22, April 15, 2002).

Experts attribute the increase in the levels of SPM and SO 2 to the Mathura Refinery as well as huge traffic of heavy vehicles and the diesel-run gensets.

Irrespective of whether pollution levels have actually increased or decreased, the UP government has based its decision for afforestation on the UPPCB assessment. In its second phase of the project, a 30-hectare green belt is being planned around Mathura Refinery, some 45 kilometres away from the Taj.

Approved by the mission management board headed by the chief secretary, the phase II of the Taj Trapezium project would continue till 2006. About 2,131 hectares of land would be used for advanced soil work and plantation in and around Agra, Mathura, Hathras, Ferozabad and Etah.

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