India's 'Snow Yard': A Toxic Marble Dump Becomes an Unlikely Tourist Hotspot Amidst Health Crisis

In Bhogiyawas village, Rajasthan, residents like Bagharam Gurjar face a daily struggle as dust from a massive marble slurry dumping yard pollutes their fields and affects their health. Gurjar, 53, expresses his distress over the dust settling on his maize crops, while his wife suffers from a chronic cough, making it difficult to grow food.

This unusual tourist attraction, known locally as the "Snow Yard," is a 300-acre (121-hectare) marble slurry landfill near Kishangarh. Despite the environmental and health hazards, its pristine white hills and water-filled pits have drawn hundreds of tourists daily, offering a surreal landscape in the arid state. Visitors, including newlyweds and social media influencers, flock to the site for photoshoots and content creation, with some likening the scenery to Kashmir.

Salim Shahzada, a businessman from Uttar Pradesh, brought his family to the "Snow Yard," unaware of the associated health and environmental issues. He noted that the site is where marble cutting waste is dumped, forming the hills themselves.

Kishangarh, a major hub for marble and granite, boasts nearly 1,200 processing units generating an estimated 160 million rupees ($1.7m) daily and employing around 25,000 people. However, the daily dumping of approximately 5,500 tonnes of slurry by 1,000 tankers has created a significant health hazard for the nearly 5,000 residents in surrounding villages. Gurjar highlighted that at least six villages are affected, with residents suffering from chest infections, dental problems, and skin allergies.

Dr. Aditi Goyal, a general physician at Ajmer’s Ganga Narayan Hospital, confirmed that respiratory and skin problems are prevalent in the area, with industrial workers being particularly vulnerable. She noted a significant increase in respiratory issues over the past few years due to exposure to the toxic dust.

A study by Laxmi Kant Sharma, professor at the Central University of Rajasthan, revealed that lead silicate concentration in Kishangarh's soil is several times higher than normal, indicating severe contamination. The study also found that PM2.5 levels exceed air quality standards, suggesting potential cases of silicosis and urging immediate government action.

Ugam Singh, a 65-year-old resident, recalls the gradual transformation of the landscape and lives due to the continuous dumping. He stated that the groundwater is now unfit for consumption due to high fluoride levels, causing dental decay and bone weakness. Despite complaints to authorities like the Rajasthan State Pollution Control Board (RSPCB), residents feel their concerns are ignored, believing the government prioritizes industrial interests over their well-being.

Environmentalist Drupad Malik filed a case with the National Green Tribunal regarding the dumping yard's harmful effects. The tribunal acknowledged the contamination of groundwater and air and directed the RSPCB to monitor and penalize violating units. However, research shared with state authorities has not led to improvements.

Sharma emphasized the need to relocate the dumping yard to an area free from human contact, given its toxic nature and the risk of severe diseases. He expressed surprise that visitors are allowed on-site without protective gear. Sharma suggested utilizing the marble slurry in tile manufacturing to reduce pollution.

Ram Lal, a resident of Tokra village, appealed for an alternative dumping site and free medical camps to assess the health of affected individuals, citing the high cost of treatment for dust-related illnesses.