Endless white plains shimmer under the Rajasthan sun. No snow, no alpine chill, yet the scene looks lifted from a winter postcard. Visitors compare it to Bolivia’s Salt Flats, snow-covered Gulmarg, and Switzerland. The reality is starker. This is Asia’s largest marble waste dumping yard, spread across 350 acres in Kishangarh, Ajmer district. Over 700 tankers empty roughly 22 lakh litres of marble slurry here every single day.
Up to 20,000 people visit on weekends and holidays. The Kishangarh Marble Association (KMA) now charges entry fees โ Rs 500 for a camera, Rs 5,100 for a pre-wedding shoot, and up to Rs 21,000 for commercial shoots. The site has restaurants, a kids’ zone, jeep rides, horses, and even a helipad.
“The dumping yard has put Kishangarh on the national tourism map,” said Sudhir Jain, KMA president.
Bollywood accelerated the fame. Kapil Sharma, Tiger Shroff, Shraddha Kapoor, Nora Fatehi, and Honey Singh have all shot music videos here.
Scientists Sound the Alarm
Researchers at the Central University of Rajasthan have labelled the site a “toxic tourist destination.” Their studies found total dissolved solids in water sources running ten times above safe limits within a six-kilometre radius.
“The concentration of lead silicate in soil and nitrate and fluoride in water were found several times higher than normal levels,” said Laxmi Kant Sharma, Environmental Science professor at the university. “PM2.5 levels exceed ambient air quality standards. Several people may be suffering from silicosis.”
Sharma warned that waste particles smaller than 75 micrometres spread widely, rendering soil infertile. The National Green Tribunal formed a joint committee to examine the site after concerns were raised.
“There is no engineered liner, no dust suppression, no groundwater monitoring, no green belt,” Sharma told PTI.
Farmers and Locals Bear the Cost
Farmers in nearby villages, Tokra, Bhojiyawas, Rahimpura, report white marble dust settling on crops and slurry flooding fields.
“Last year the slurry ran into my farm and formed a thick layer, making it unfit for sowing,” said Mandraj, who now runs a tea stall.
During a site visit, no tourists were seen wearing masks. Children rubbed their eyes. Workers covered their faces with towels. Jain maintained the KMA has received no health complaints. “The NGT did not find anything hazardous here,” he said.
Support Us To Sustain Independent Environmental Journalism In India.
Keep Reading
Highway Halt Puts Kashmirโs Fruit Economy at Risk
Railway line expansion plan put Kashmirโs apple orchards at risk
Warmer winters in Kashmir raise concerns over apple and crop yields
Stay Connected With Ground Report For Underreported Environmental Stories.
