Lucknow: Threats to the Taj Mahal in the age of pollution and climate change, documented in a photographic essay clicked and drafted by a high school student, made it big at a global essay competition organised by the Unesco World Heritage Centre recently.
The girl, Aliza Fatima, a resident of UP living and studying at Delhi Public School RK Puram, New Delhi, surpassed over 324 entries from 24 countries to finish third, bringing laurels not just for the country, but also for her school, teachers, parents and home state.
Centred on the theme ‘World Heritage in the Era of Climate Crisis', the contest was conducted by the Korean National Commission for Unesco (KNCU) with the support of the Unesco Associated Schools Network. "It aimed to explore how Unesco world heritage sites were engaging with youth to address the challenges posed by climate change and inspire practical action for creating a sustainable society," noted Han Kyung Koo, secretary general, KNCU, in the album that featured remarkable photo essays from 50 participants, including 10 winners.
"The aim of the album is that it inspires the viewer to see the world through a lens informed by the beauty, history and significance of a shared heritage. The work is not only artistic expressions but also powerful testaments to the enduring relevance of heritage in our lives and the importance of preserving it across generations," wrote Koo.
Aliza's entry contained five photos along with referenced-supported captions and descriptions that traversed through the monument's magnificence, history and architectural features.
Titled ‘A Marble Marvel and Need of the Hour', the essay touched upon the yellowing of the Taj and efforts being taken by the ASI to conserve the monument amid challenges like deposition of dust and SPM (suspended particulate matter), besides natural weathering and environmental onslaughts like the decreasing level of Yamuna. "They say that the Taj Mahal depicts the mood of women… It is pinkish white and cherry in the morning and holds a shining silver sight to behold at night. I saw that in the twilight, however, the Taj seemed to radiate a completely different and underappreciated aura. The mesmerising beauty needs to be preserved for the present and future generations," said Aliza. She even imagined herself to be Mumtaz Mahal (for whom the Taj Mahal was built) in present times, watching the monument's current state.
"From what poets have described of the Taj, I sometimes feel that she would be heartbroken by the lack of compassion visitors sometimes display," she said adding that "Activists and conservationists alone cannot save the monument unless visitors do their bit and treat their role as a divine duty."