2 days ago
Aravalli Mining Leaves Rajasthan Villages Facing Water Crisis
Mining in parts of Rajasthan’s Aravalli hills is making it harder for people to find clean water.
Residents say mines and stone-crushing plants use or disturb large amounts of groundwater.
Some rivers and streams, including the Kasawati and Sota, have become much smaller or dried up.
People in some villages must pay for water tankers or dig very deep borewells.
Tests found unusually high levels of dirt, ammonia, and nitrate in some water samples.
These substances can make water unsafe to drink.
Residents wanted a panel appointed by the Supreme Court to inspect their villages.
They say the panel visited other places but did not visit some badly affected communities.
Activists are asking for more time so the panel can conduct a fuller investigation.
Residents in Kotputli-Behror and Sikar allege mining has depleted and contaminated groundwater.
A 2023 field study found only 10 percent of groundwater sources in Jodhpura-Mohanpura were operational.
Tests near Neemod village recorded turbidity of 92 NTU and ammonia of 6.4 mg/L.
A separate sample from Jodhpura-Mohanpura contained 211 mg/L of nitrate, above the 45 mg/L limit.
Residents and activists say the Supreme Court-appointed panel should extend its review and visit more affected areas.
- Who
- Residents and activists in Rajasthan’s Kotputli-Behror and Sikar districts, along with the Supreme Court-appointed Aravalli panel.
- What
- Mining, stone crushing, and related activities are alleged to have depleted groundwater, damaged riverbeds, and contaminated water supplies.
- Where
- Jodhpura-Mohanpura in Kotputli-Behror and Neemod and other areas of Sikar district, Rajasthan.
- When
- The panel conducted field visits from August 6 to 10, and its report was due by August 31; water testing cited in the report took place in March 2025.
- Why
- Residents and activists say mining intersects water tables, draws heavily on groundwater, and allows dust, wastewater, or blasting residues to enter water bodies.
Residents and environmental activists
Mining operators and authorities
Mining’s effect on water
Residents and environmental activists
Residents and activists allege that mines and stone crushers have lowered groundwater levels, damaged river systems, and contaminated water with dust, wastewater, and blasting residues.
Mining operators and authorities
UltraTech Cement Limited and the Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change had not responded to the allegations when the report was published.
Riverbed operations
Residents and environmental activists
Activists say stone crushers and washing units operate on or near the Kasawati and Sota riverbeds, worsening water scarcity and pollution.
Mining operators and authorities
A local water-resources notice identified encroachments in part of the Kasawati flow area and called for their immediate removal, while activists said the crushers had not been removed.
Scope of the panel’s review
Residents and environmental activists
Affected communities and activists say the panel should extend its August 31 deadline, conduct more consultations, and visit villages such as Jodhpura-Mohanpura.
Mining operators and authorities
The panel conducted field visits from August 6 to 10 across nine districts and held public hearings in Gurgaon, Alwar, Ajmer, and Udaipur, although some residents said their villages were not visited.
Key facts
- Affected districts
- Kotputli-Behror and Sikar, Rajasthan
- Groundwater finding
- Only 10 percent of groundwater sources in Jodhpura-Mohanpura were reported operational, at depths of around 700 feet.
- Water tanker cost
- One resident said her family spends more than Rs 5,000 monthly on water tankers.
- Kasawati turbidity
- A March 2025 sample recorded turbidity of 92 NTU, compared with a maximum permissible limit of 5 NTU.
- Ammonia level
- The same sample recorded ammonia at 6.4 mg/L, against a maximum acceptable limit of 0.5 mg/L.
- Nitrate level
- A Jodhpura-Mohanpura groundwater sample contained 211 mg/L of nitrate, compared with a permissible limit of 45 mg/L.
- Panel review
- The panel reviewed the Centre’s definition and delineation of the Aravalli Range and visited nine districts in Delhi, Haryana, and Rajasthan.
Quotes
Neelam Ahluwalia
Co-founder of Aravalli Virasat Jan Abhiyaan
“I have a farm right next to Sota, which used to be a crucial source of water for irrigation before the river dried up. Now, there is a stone crusher here, and it frequently discharges wastewater into my farm, destroying the crops.”
theprint.in
“Our village is in a dark zone (meaning groundwater resources in the area are severely over-exploited). Yet mining operations that draw an immense amount of groundwater are taking place here.”
theprint.in
Sources
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