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阅读理解
Authorities in India warn that the world-famous Taj Mahal desperately needs repairs．Some say that this architectural landmark could eventually collapse unless efforts are made to protect and preserve it．
The Taj Mahal, completed in 1648, was built in Agra, India, on the edge of the Yamuna River．The wooden foundation that holds up the building stays strong because of the moist environment around the river．If the river were to dry out, the wooden foundation could crack and fall apart．Over the past decade, the Yamuna has been shrinking, especially during the summer months．This is partly because of overuse of the river water by residents and businesses．
Some officials have said the building may collapse in as little as five years．Other experts disagree and question whether the building really faces any danger．Certain politicians and historians, however, are pushing the government to begin preservation efforts, or work to repair and take care of the monument．This is not the first time the Taj Mahal has been threatened．In 1996, officials thought air pollution was turning the building yellow．The Indian government ordered nearby factories to stop burning coal or leave the area．
Shah Jahan, a former emperor of India, began building the Taj Mahal in 1631．He had it built in honor of his deceased wife, Mumtaz Mahl, who was buried inside the Taj Mahal with Jahan．Many architects say the building is a masterpiece of symmetry．Symmetry is a visual technique where the right side of an object looks the same as the left side of the object．
The Taj Mahal has been named one of the Seven Wonders of the World, a list of amazing human-made landmarks．The United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization(UNESCO)lists the Taj Mahal as a World Heritage Site and helps preserve the famous structure．Because of the building's importance in Indian culture, Minister of Parliament Ramshankar Katheria has taken the case to both the Prime Minister and President of India．Katheria has said, “I am demanding a high-level inquiry to analyze the severe threat posed to the wooden structures in the foundation of the Taj．”
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