Read in Hindi: ताजमहल के निकट बढ़ते प्रदूषण को रोकने के लिए हुई कार्यशाला

The Meeting was attended by DG, ASI, Usha Sharma; Additional Secretary, Environment, Forest & Climate Change ministry AK Mehta, representatives of State Government, local administration, local administration of neighbouring districts to Agra, local MPs, MLAs, representatives of UNEP, Central Pollution Control Board and other stakeholders from the public, industry, environmentalists etc.

The meeting was followed by the Taj Declaration to ‘Beat Plastic Pollution’ made at a press conference, in which a pledge was taken to make areas around the Taj Mahal up to 500 meters around the historic monument litter free and taking immediate steps to reduce single-use plastic near and around the Taj Mahal. The pledge was taken in the presence of Dr. Mahesh Sharma; Executive Director of UNEP, Erik Solheim; UNEP Goodwill ambassador and actress Diya Mirza; local MPs, MLAs, local administration among others.

Addressing media persons, Dr. Sharma said that India, as well as the whole world, is today facing the problem of pollution caused by excess plastic use. It is a historic moment that the message of Beat Plastic Pollution is being given from the iconic monument Taj Mahal not only to the people of Agra and the country but to the whole world.

Earlier, at the stakeholders’ consultations, constructive suggestions were made to reduce the pollution around the Taj and its damaging impact on the monument.