India’s Supreme Court has ordered the government of Uttar Pradesh state to shift a crematorium located near the Taj Mahal to protect the iconic monument from being affected by smoke.
The court was acting on a letter from a Supreme Court judge that the white marble mausoleum was under threat of pollution due to smoke and soot emanating from the crematorium.
The court said Monday that the state government could consider shifting the crematorium away from the monument, or install an electric crematorium.
Hindus traditionally cremate their dead using wood fires. The government has been trying to encourage people to use electricity-powered crematoriums.
