By IANS
Chandigarh : The Harmandar Sahib or Golden Temple, the holiest Sikh shrine at Amritsar in Punjab, will be able to retain its golden shine with pollution control agencies from the centre and Punjab coming together to ensure curbing of pollution around the complex.
The Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB) and Punjab Pollution Board will initiate a joint scientific study to save the 17th century shrine from the ill effects of rising pollution in its vicinity.
Punjab’s Science and Technology Minister Bikram Singh Majithia said that the assistance of CPCB has been sought because it has a vast experience of suggesting measures for protection of the Taj Mahal from pollutants.
“The Punjab government is worried about the increasing pollution level in the surroundings of Golden Temple and its ill effects,” Majithia said here Wednesday.
He said that the Golden Temple complex was an example of the heritage of Sikh gurus.
In recent months, pollution experts had found that the gold sheet on the shrine had developed black spots at several places.
“Due to urbanization, industrialization and other domestic activities pollution level was increasing in the city of Amritsar – threatening this precious heritage and religious site,” Majithia added.
The minister admitted that many scientists, intellectuals and Sikh religious thinkers had raised their voice against the threats of pollution to Harmandar Sahib.
Preliminary studies into the pollution around the Sikh shrine – started by fourth guru Ram Dass in 1574 and completed by fifth guru Arjan Dev in 1601 – have identified reasons like transportation, industrial and commercial activity, and congestion of buildings around the complex for the increasing pollution.
The walls of the upper floors and the dome of the sanctum sanctorum are covered with a pure gold sheet – from where it derives its popular name of Golden Temple. The gold sheet was changed six years ago with Sikhs and people from across the globe contributing millions of rupees to give it a new look.