The Dharam Talab, a centuries-old pond at the centre of life in Jaswantpura village in Rajasthan's Bhilwara district, has been declared toxic and unfit for any use after water samples confirmed contamination, prompting local authorities to cordon off the waterbody and launch a public health response. The crisis, which surfaced around 17 June 2025, has left residents of Banera tehsil — about 35 km from Bhilwara — scrambling for alternative water sources.

How the Crisis Unfolded

The first warning signs came when villagers noticed large numbers of dead fish floating in the pond, also known locally as the Ghat pond. Reports soon followed of livestock and birds dying after contact with the water. What some initially dismissed as an isolated incident rapidly escalated into a public health emergency.

Following complaints from residents, authorities collected water samples and forwarded them for testing. Preliminary findings from the Rajasthan State Pollution Control Board and subsequent analysis by the Public Health Engineering Department (PHED) confirmed the water was contaminated, unsafe for consumption, and toxic.

What the Administration Has Done

Banera Sub-Divisional Magistrate Babulal Verma said, 'The water quality has deteriorated significantly,' adding that restrictions were imposed as a precautionary measure. Authorities have prohibited the use of pond water for any purpose and declared a one-kilometre radius around the waterbody a restricted zone under Section 163 of the Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita (BNSS).

Public announcements are being made throughout the village, and warning boards have been erected to caution residents and visitors. Authorities have also shut down a nearby handpump — the village's only safe drinking water source — amid concerns that contamination may have spread to surrounding groundwater. Additional testing is underway to determine the full extent of the pollution.

Suspected Source and Environmental Concerns

Many villagers suspect that chemically contaminated discharge from a nearby industrial unit may have entered the pond. They claim concerns about pollution had been raised previously, but little action was taken. The Rajasthan State Pollution Control Board has launched a formal investigation into the source, though officials have not yet confirmed the cause.

Environmentalist Babulal Jajoo criticised the administration's response, arguing that action came only after visible ecological damage had already occurred. 'When fish die, it becomes visible. But in such situations, many other aquatic and terrestrial species may die silently,' he said, calling for a high-level inquiry and strict action against those found responsible.

Public Health Response on the Ground

Health teams comprising Auxiliary Nurse Midwives (ANMs), ASHA workers, and Anganwadi workers have been deployed across the village to conduct door-to-door surveys. Residents are being screened for symptoms of waterborne illnesses, and awareness campaigns are underway to discourage use of contaminated water. Health workers are distributing ORS packets, zinc tablets, and chlorine tablets to households. According to officials, no cases of illness linked to the contaminated water have been reported so far.

What the Pond Means to Jaswantpura

The Dharam Talab has for generations sustained livestock, supported agriculture, and served as a site of faith — villagers gather here every Diwali for the traditional Ghat Pujan ritual. 'This pond is the lifeline of our village,' residents said, expressing deep concern over the impact on livestock, farming, and daily life. Groups of residents are now taking turns monitoring the restricted zone to ensure neither people nor animals approach the water.

Until detailed test reports are received and the water is declared safe, authorities have urged strict compliance with restrictions. The investigation into what poisoned one of Jaswantpura's most vital and revered resources remains ongoing.