"The BJP Minister Attributed Floods in Rajasthan to Heavy Rainfalls Occurring After the Chief Minister's Prayers to Lord Krishna"
In the Barmer district of Rajasthan, the small town of Balotra is grappling with a severe environmental crisis. For years, the community has been dealing with the aftermath of water pollution, caused primarily by illegal textile factories discharging untreated toxic chemical wastewater into fields, reservoirs, and residential areas.
The Jojari river, a key water source for the region, has been severely polluted by this industrial waste. During the monsoon season, the river often overflows, inundating villages in Balotra with blackish, foul-smelling water. This contaminated water has submerged villages, agricultural fields, houses, and public sites, destroying local ecosystems and livelihoods.
Despite the existence of government-run effluent treatment plants (CEPTs and ETPs), they are reportedly non-functional, and authorities have been accused of negligence, corruption, and failure to enforce environmental regulations. Orders from the National Green Tribunal and high court have been issued, but enforcement remains weak.
The crisis has escalated to frequent flooding with polluted water submerging villages under two to three feet. Protests have occurred in the affected villages due to the situation. Local representatives and activists have called for immediate and strict action to prevent worsening of public health and environmental conditions.
The comments made by Rajasthan Minister of State for Industry and Commerce K K Vishnoi, attributing the heavy rainfall in Balotra to the chief minister's prayers to Lord Krishna, have sparked controversy. The Congress party and local MLA Harish Choudhary criticized Vishnoi's remarks, calling it ridiculous to shift responsibility of a man-made crisis to gods.
The problem is particularly severe when the river swells during rains, forcing many families to shift out of their homes due to flooding and health hazards. The contaminated water from the Jojari river originates from industrial waste discharged by factories in Jodhpur and Pali. The locals have been affected by this problem for several years, and no concrete action has been taken yet to stop the discharge of pollutants from factories in Jodhpur and Pali into the river.
A 100-kilometre stretch from Jodhpur to Barmer has been affected by the contaminated water. The comments made during Vishnoi's Barmer visit have added fuel to the fire, with the locals claiming that the situation has sparked protests in the affected villages several times.
The crisis in Balotra is a persistent problem that requires immediate attention and concrete solutions. Efforts to address the issue include multiple orders from the National Green Tribunal and high court, but enforcement remains weak. Central government investigation teams have been accused of collusion with industrialists, producing misleading reports.
Local representatives and activists have called for immediate and strict action to prevent worsening of public health and environmental conditions. Awareness and calls for "concrete industrial waste management solutions" are ongoing, but progress is limited. The people of Balotra hope for a swift resolution to this crisis and a return to a cleaner, healthier environment.
- The environmental crisis in Balotra, stemming from illegal discharge of toxic chemicals by textile factories, has escalated to General-news level, with frequent flooding and contaminated water affecting public health and the local ecosystem.
- As the crisis persists, politics around the issue have come to light, as comments by Rajasthan's Minister of State for Industry and Commerce regarding the flooding have sparked controversy and protests from the affected communities, while calling for immediate and strict action from government authorities.
