Taj Mahal-agraA parliamentary panel has recommended that a multi-pronged strategy be adopted to preserve the pristine beauty of the Taj Mahal. The Panel has asked the Archeological Survey of India to submit at the earliest an action plan for the same.

The committee for Demands for Grants (2015-16) for Environment Ministry also asked the government to vigorously implement a long-term strategy for developing and environmentally preserving the Yamuna river catchment area around Taj and check vehicular pollution in the historic city.

The committee, headed by former Union Minister Ashwani Kumar, also recommended that afforestation should begin forthwith in the area surrounding the iconic mausoleum.

The committee took note of a study conducted by two IIT, Kanpur, scientists which states that discolouration of Taj Mahal was taking place due to particulate carbon and dust deposits arising from combustion of fossil fuels and biomass.