The battle to protect the Taj from pollution began in the 1970s, and gained momentum in 1984 when environmental activist M. C. Mehta brought the problem of the discoloration and darkening of a Taj marbles across several places to the attention of Supreme Court of India. This discoloration was thought to be caused by "acid rains" caused by sulfur dioxide emissions. Within the Taj, the deterioration is more noticeable. The whole structure is bathed in a pale yellow hue. Ugly brown or black specks amplify the yellowish tone in certain areas. The ancient tombs of Shah Jahan wife Mumtaz Mahal are located in the inner chamber, which has suffered the most from fungal decay. The Supreme Court issued many decisions related to this matter over the following twenty-five years after its historic ruling in 1996.

environmentalist, pollution, yellowing, acid rains, sulphur dioxide emission, ugly brown, fungal deterioration