Dehradun: The rising number of tourists visiting waterfalls in Dehradun and Mussoorie, fueled by scorching heat and social media promotion, is leading to contamination of key drinking water sources that supply dozens of villages. Locals report that garbage dumping, alcohol consumption, and bathing in streams are polluting the water that feeds communities in Kimadi, Bhitarli, Maldevta, Rajpur, and Rispana.
Declining Water Quality and Health Concerns
Residents warn of deteriorating water quality, with E. coli contamination and increasing cases of diarrhoea and dysentery. Despite accidental deaths and past warnings, authorities have yet to enforce stricter controls. Commercialization, shops, and unchecked crowds have worsened the situation, prompting calls for fencing, police monitoring, and coordinated civic action.
Villagers Speak Out
Bharti Jawadi, pradhan of Bisht village near Kimadi, told TOI that since work began on the Kimadi bypass road, footfall in the forests has increased dramatically. “It started as exploration by locals bored during the pandemic. Gradually, with social media, these spots became viral hidden gems. First, people from other parts of Dehradun started frequenting even though there wasn’t a direct road. They would trek across the forest to reach. As their popularity increased, we started seeing tourists frequenting. With the increased footfall, problems of garbage being dumped in and around the waterfall started rising, along with alcohol consumption in public. Now, shops have come up, and on weekends and hot summer evenings, large crowds are common,” she said.
Suresh Jawadi, another villager in Bisht, added, “Water from this fall supplies almost 40 villages in Kimadi, Bhitarli and three other villages. It has to be protected. It is our only source for drinking water. Over the years, we have stopped visitors from dumping alcohol in the water or urinating in it. Now, the footfall is beyond local control and authorities should intervene.”
Bhitarli resident Pramod Jeet Deol noted that there have been accidental deaths in the area in recent years. “Warning boards were installed at some spots in 2018-19, but they have since eroded. Residents have long demanded stricter measures such as barbed wire fencing and police monitoring,” he said.
Locals near Maldevta falls, Jharipani, and Shikhar Falls shared similar stories of increasing visitors. These water sources supply drinking water to Dehradun.
Official Response and Looming Crisis
Officials admit the need for intervention, but concrete measures remain pending, raising fears of a looming water crisis. “We regularly conduct source depth analysis studies and spot visits with local villagers to identify concerns and take appropriate action. We will let the administration know about this problem,” said Priyanka Dabral, an engineer with Peyjal Nigam.
(With inputs from Anmol Jain)
