As for the refinery, Indian Oil brass claim that the Mathura refinery was ecologically inviting enough to attract birds flying south for the winter! ``We can show you that our Mathura refinery (accused of emitting those polluting fumes onto the Taj) is the nesting ground for migratory birds from Siberia,'' said Indian Oil director (human resources and business development) Subir Raha at the launch of IndianOil Foundation last week.

The IndianOil Foundation, launched recently with a starting kitty of Rs 25 crore, is committed to `protect, preserve and promote' national heritage monuments. Indian Oil will adopt aheritage site in each state and Union territory. The Foundation will help create tourist infrastructure and promote eight national monuments, the Qutb Minar, the Khajuraho temples, Hampi, Nalanda, Rani-ki-Vav, the Elephanta Caves, Sarnath and Vattakottai.

The foundation will be managed by the ministry of culture, funded by Indian Oil and have an active participation of the National Culture Fund and the Archaeological Survey of India (ASI).

The foundation will help conserve the monuments, develop museums and organise exhibitions. The archaeological works will be funded by IndianOil Foundation through the National Culture Fund and executed by the Archaeological Survey of India.

The heritage sites will continue to be owned and managed by the Archaeological Survey of India, the IndianOil Foundation will simply beautify and illuminate them. The foundation will develop landscape, like parks, walk-ways, gardens, fountains and cascades and other world-class facilities for visitors. The tourist facilitiesaround the relics of our national heritage will include parking areas, souvenir shops, information kiosks, refreshment facilities, banking, retail outlets and of course the Indian Oil `Convenio' shopping stores.