‘Toxic destination’: Rajasthan marble dump draws crowds; experts warn health risks

Kishangarh: What appears like a snow-covered landscape or a scene from Switzerland is, in reality, Asia’s largest marble waste dumping yard in Kishangarh, located in Ajmer district.

Sprawling across 350 acres, the site receives over 700 tankers daily, dumping nearly 22 lakh litres of marble slurry. Its striking white terrain has turned it into a social media hotspot, attracting around 5,000 visitors ежедневно, with numbers surging to 20,000 on weekends and holidays. The location is also popular for pre-wedding shoots and commercial filming.

However, environmentalists and health experts have raised serious concerns, calling it a “toxic tourist destination.” Studies by the Central University of Rajasthan highlight severe environmental and health risks linked to unregulated dumping practices.

“There is no engineered liner system, dust suppression, groundwater monitoring, or protective green belt,” said Laxmi Kant Sharma, an environmental science professor at the university. “These failures have led to groundwater contamination, agricultural degradation, and dangerous levels of air pollution.”

Research findings indicate total dissolved solids in nearby water sources are up to ten times above safe limits within a 6-km radius. Soil samples show high levels of lead silicate, while water contains elevated nitrate and fluoride concentrations. PM2.5 levels also exceed prescribed ambient air quality standards. Experts warn that fine marble particles—smaller than 75 micrometres—can spread widely, reduce soil fertility, and potentially cause diseases such as silicosis.

The issue has reached the National Green Tribunal, which has constituted a joint committee including state and central pollution control authorities to examine the matter.

The dumping yard dates back to the 1980s, when the Rajasthan State Industrial Development and Investment Corporation allotted land to the Kishangarh Marble Association. Over time, accumulated slurry formed vast white plateaus and mounds. Today, Kishangarh hosts more than 1,200 marble processing units.

The site gained prominence after Kapil Sharma filmed a song for his 2016 debut film Kis Kisko Pyaar Karoon. It later drew other celebrities, including Nora Fatehi, Honey Singh, Nushrratt Bharuccha, Tiger Shroff, and Shraddha Kapoor, further boosting its popularity.

The Marble Association has since developed the area into a tourist hub, complete with a helipad, restaurants, changing rooms, and recreational facilities. While entry is free, visitors must obtain a pass, with charges for photography and commercial shoots ranging from Rs 500 to Rs 21,000.

KMA president Sudhir Jain said the revenue is used for maintenance and claimed no health complaints have been reported. He added that guidelines issued by the tribunal would be followed.

On the ground, however, concerns persist. Visitors, including children, were seen exposed to dust without protective gear, while workers covered their faces. Tankers continue to dump slurry at regular intervals, even as tourists flock to capture images.

Local farmers from nearby villages such as Tokra, Bhojiyawas, and Rahimpura report that marble dust settles on crops and contaminates irrigation water, reducing yields and, in some cases, rendering land unusable.

Despite the concerns, local MLA Vikas Chaudhary defended the site’s management, stating that improved machinery has reduced waste generation and that authorities are open to addressing any environmental or health issues.

The contrast between the site’s visual appeal and its environmental cost continues to draw both tourists and scrutiny.

With PTI inputs