India’s marble waste dump becomes unlikely tourist attraction

A vast expanse of marble waste in Kishangarh, Rajasthan, India, is drawing tourists, filmmakers, and social media enthusiasts to a site that resembles a snow-capped valley rather than a garbage dump. The 33-hectare area receives over 5,500 tonnes of slurry daily from more than 1,200 marble and granite processing units, making it one of Asia's largest disposal sites.

Despite its industrial origins, the white slurry-covered landscape has become an unexpected attraction. Couples take pre-wedding photos, filmmakers use the terrain as a backdrop, and visitors ride horses across the unique landscape. Social media has amplified the site's popularity, with visitors comparing its gleaming surface to alpine scenery.

Rainfall creates blue pools that further enhance the illusion of a mountain vista. However, authorities have repeatedly warned about the environmental risks of marble waste disposal, including airborne dust, groundwater contamination, elevated salinity, and heavy metal levels. India's top environmental court ordered corrective measures in January, calling for guidelines to promote slurry reuse and discouraging uncontrolled dumping. Despite these warnings, the striking, otherworldly scenery continues to lure crowds of visitors.