India's monuments suffer increasing damage from air pollution, climate change

Key Concepts

• Heritage Site Vulnerability: Indian historical monuments are facing significant threats from air pollution and climate change.
• Humayun's Tomb: A 500-year-old Mughal-era monument experiencing damage due to unpredictable rainstorms, air pollution, and slow upkeep.
• Porous Stone Damage: Polluted water seeping into porous stones weakens structures, akin to skin damage when pores are blocked.
• Aga Khan Trust for Culture: An organization involved in conserving over 70 historic sites in central Delhi, including Humayun's Tomb.
• Conservation Interventions: Measures taken include planting trees to reduce local pollution and improving drainage systems to manage waterlogging.
• Sonar Fort Collapse: A 12th-century fort in Jaisalmer, Rajasthan, that partially collapsed due to heavy rains during an unusually wet monsoon.
• Taj Mahal and Red Fort Discoloration: Iconic monuments affected by pollution and acid rain, leading to visible discoloration.
• Red Fort Soot Accumulation: Decades of pollution from vehicles, construction, and factories have resulted in significant soot deposits on the Red Fort's walls.
• Government Climate Policies: India's long-term strategy includes increasing renewable energy sources (half of electricity from renewables) and aiming for carbon neutrality by 2070.
• Early Warning Systems: Weather stations installed at monuments to detect extreme weather events like heavy rainfall or high winds.
• Resource and Funding Needs: Conservationists emphasize the necessity of adequate resources and funding beyond just early warnings.
• Archaeological Survey of India (ASI) Budget: Received a 13% budget increase to 138 million, but some analysts deem it insufficient.
• Comprehensive Risk Assessments and Treatments: Calls for more substantial measures like risk assessments, regular inspections, and protective chemical treatments.

Humayun's Tomb: A Case Study in Vulnerability

Humayun's Tomb, a monument standing for 500 years, is now under existential threat. While it has previously withstood floods, vandalism, and neglect, its Mughal-era walls are increasingly vulnerable to unpredictable rainstorms and air pollution. The porous nature of the sandstone used in its construction allows polluted water to penetrate, leading to structural weakening. This process is likened to how blocked pores on skin can cause cells to die, impacting buildings designed to "breathe." The retention of water within the sandstone or masonry triggers a complex and difficult-to-predict cocktail of chemical reactions.

Conservation Efforts and Challenges

The Aga Khan Trust for Culture is actively involved in conserving over 70 historic sites in central Delhi, including Humayun's Tomb. This conservation work involves specialist craftsmen from Uzbekistan to restore historical elements. However, climate change necessitates additional protective measures. To combat local pollution, thousands of trees have been planted around sites like Humayun's Tomb, and drainage systems have been enhanced to mitigate the risk of waterlogging. As stated by a conservationist, "water disposal system, your roofs need to be much more secure, much more in a state of alert uh all the time."

Broader Impact on Indian Heritage Sites

The challenges faced by Humayun's Tomb are not isolated. Across India, heritage sites are suffering from extreme weather events and modern development. In Jaisalmer, Rajasthan, a section of the 12th-century Sonar Fort collapsed after being severely impacted by heavy rains during an unusually wet monsoon season. Furthermore, iconic monuments like the Taj Mahal and the Red Fort in Delhi have experienced visible discoloration due to pollution and acid rain.

The Red Fort: A Stark Example of Pollution Damage

The damage to the Red Fort is particularly evident. Running a hand along its walls reveals easily removable soot, a direct consequence of decades of pollution stemming from vehicle emissions, construction activities, and factory emissions. Researchers warn that this accumulation of soot could permanently compromise the integrity of this World Heritage site, urging for immediate action.

Government Response and Future Outlook

The Indian government acknowledges the threat and states that its long-term climate policies are designed to prevent further damage to these monuments. Officials highlight that half of India's electricity is now generated from renewable sources, with a national goal of achieving carbon neutrality by 2070. In the interim, early warning systems, such as weather stations, have been installed at many heritage sites to monitor extreme weather conditions like heavy rainfall or high winds.

The Need for Adequate Resources and Funding

Despite the implementation of early warning systems, conservationists emphasize that warnings alone are insufficient. They stress the critical need for "adequate resources and funding for conservation of these places and protection of these spaces." While the Archaeological Survey of India (ASI) received a 13% budget increase to 138 million this year, some analysts argue that this amount is inadequate. Their recommendations include comprehensive risk assessments, regular inspections, and increased funding for protective chemical treatments, as they believe that without these more substantial measures, conservation efforts will only address the symptoms rather than the root cause of the problem.