Context: Kishangarh in Rajasthan, known for its marble industry, has gained attention for its unique “snow yard”, a landscape formed by marble slurry waste that visually resembles snow. While this site is promoted as a tourist destination, it raises serious environmental and public health concerns.
Relevance of the Topic: Prelims: Key facts related to Marble and impact of unregulated marble slurry dumping on environment and health.
Key Highlights
- Kishangarh has Asia’s biggest marble and granite mandi (market). Once it was a princely state in the central Rajputana territory of British India, known for its temples.
- Availability of marble, granite, and other stones in Rajasthan has led to the establishment of about 1200 marble cutting and processing units in the region.
- Marble slurry, containing 60% water, has been dumped. Spread over 200 acres, the slurry dumping site resembles a snow-covered field due to calcium carbonate deposits.
Environmental and Health Impacts of Marble Slurry Dumping
A study by Central University of Rajasthan revealed high Total Dissolved Solids (TDS) in water sources up to 10x above safe limits within 6 km of the site.
- Reduces soil fertility: Fine marble particles (<75 micrometres) reduce soil fertility and pose long-term ecological risks. Marble dust often settles on farm lands and mixes with irrigation water affecting crop production.
- Contaminates drinking water: Due to Marble contamination the groundwater is not fit for drinking or irrigation, as it contains fine marble particles.
- Air Pollution: Workers suffer from respiratory issues like chronic cough due to constant exposure to marble dust, and locals allege a rise in pollution-related diseases.
Key facts related to Marble:
- Marble is a metamorphic rock composed primarily of calcium carbonate (CaCO₃).
- It forms through the metamorphism of limestone under high pressure and temperature.
- Largest producer: Rajasthan (notably Makrana, Kishangarh, Rajsamand, Chittorgarh).
- Also found in Gujarat, Madhya Pradesh, Andhra Pradesh.