The Last Oasis: Impact of Tourism On Rajasthan’s Water

An overload of tourists is straining Rajasthan's most precious natural resource - water.

Disappearing droplets by Aalia Burman

Rajasthan is one of the most popular tourist destinations in India, drawing over 20 million domestic tourists and over 2 million international tourists annually. Vibrant culture, rich food, awe-inspiring monuments, and traditional architecture have made it a must-see destination for Indian and foreign tourists. Tourists enjoy experiences ranging from budget weekend trips to ultra-luxury resorts like Taj Lake Palace in Udaipur, and couples plan their destination weddings at historical venues, taking for granted the hospitality of the state and the locals. But there is a dark side to booming tourism, and Rajasthan’s water is paying the price for it. 

Rajasthan’s geography

The Thar Desert envelopes nearly two-thirds of Rajasthan, an area larger than most Indian states. Characterized by low, erratic rainfall and frequent droughts, Rajasthan is no stranger to its waning water levels. This also reflects in the state’s water availability, which is a mere 500-1000m³ per capita, and this issue has been predicted to persist till 2050. Such a rate is alarmingly lower than both national and international standards—and is expected to drop even further. 

Low water availability is worsened by limited access to clean water in many districts. Just 10% of Rajasthan’s wells contain water that is actually safe for drinking. As per some reports, the groundwater level in 190 out of the 236 existing blocks falls into ‘dark zones’ – that have either been overused or are critically short of water. Peak tourism seasons strain the already dwindling water availability in the state. Sustainable water use and sufficient groundwater recharge are crucial for the state, given how rapidly domestic and international tourism has spiked within the past few years. 

Tourism’s role in the water crisis

Disappearing droplets by Aalia Burman

Rajasthan’s tourism allure is mainly confined to cities such as Jaipur, Udaipur, Jodhpur, Jaisalmer, and Pushkar. However, tourism takes a toll on the state’s fragile ecosystem not only by divesting it of its groundwater levels, but also from tourist activities such as amusement activities in water (boating, swimming pools, etc), unchecked sewage and waste disposal in water bodies – to name a few – that have resulted in mass water pollution; decreasing clean surface water for consumption. Inefficient water use is clearly hazardous, since peak tourist seasons, especially during the winters, can replenish water levels – right before the state’s desiccating summers.

Increased tourism in the Thar Desert and Ranthambore National Park in Rajasthan has led to water scarcity and habitat disruption, a situation acknowledged by the Rajasthan State Pollution Control Board. In Udaipur, lakes such as Pichola and Fateh Sagar have shrunk by 30-40% over the past decade due to tourism-linked urban encroachment, illegal hotel constructions, deforestation, and siltation. The lakes suffer from pollution caused by motorboat traffic, litter, pet waste, unregulated sewage inflows, and algal blooms, sapping dissolved oxygen levels and harming aquatic biodiversity. 

Iconic sites like Pushkar Lake have experienced severe pollution during pilgrimage festivals and high tourist flux due to ritual immersion, plastic litter, sewage, and unchecked runoff, resulting in high Biochemical Oxygen Demand (BOD) and low dissolved oxygen. Untreated wastewater and pollutants are also lethal to soil health and can completely choke healthy water bodies, kill local biodiversity, and threaten human health.

Water scarcity is a longstanding systemic issue that has not been solely caused by tourism. Still, tourism can often take a toll in high-traffic areas, especially during peak travel seasons. The prioritization of water for tourism amenities frequently reduces availability for the locals, livestock, and agriculture. State water allocation policies do give the highest priority to human drinking water; however, the strain from tourism can lead to competition, a burden that is often borne by local livelihoods. 

Do Government Policies Address these Issues?

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Rajasthan has several water management schemes, the most popular being the Jal Jeevan Mission (JJM), among other urban water supply projects. Still, there is no clear, tourism-specific regulation in Rajasthan to cap or price water use by hotels, resorts, or tour operators. Most of these schemes, including the JJM, focus on rural drinking water but ignore balancing tourism demand. The Pollution Control Board, too, monitors pollution in lakes and rivers, but its enforcement capacity has so far been less effective at curbing damage to water bodies. So while water allocation policies do acknowledge human consumption, they often fail to address the impact of tourist-sector excesses. There are a few examples of water management for Rajasthan to replicate from other Indian states, such as Uttarakhand, Kerala, Himachal Pradesh, and more.

Uttarakhand is a compelling example of how a metered and billed water system can fundamentally change consumer behavior and ensure the financial sustainability of water services. In the state’s peri-urban areas, the implementation of a metered billing system led to a more conscious use of water. It was witnessed that residents had begun using water more cautiously than before, now that the cost of water was being paid out of their pockets. Such a model may also encourage tourism operators to invest in water-efficient practices. 

Furthermore, any future water-pricing framework should adopt an all-round valuation technique that goes beyond simple user fees. The price of water should reflect not only the costs of capital expenditure and operations but also the long-term ecological footprint of its use. Implementing such a model could create a virtuous cycle where the tourism sector's water consumption directly funds the conservation and restoration of the natural resources upon which it depends.  

In Gujarat & Maharashtra, the Aga Khan Agency for Habitat (AKAH) has successfully administered rooftop rainwater harvesting projects in the tribal areas. These initiatives not only provide clean drinking water but also alleviate socioeconomic barriers by reducing the time that labor, tribal communities, and schoolchildren spend on water collection. 

Kerala’s backwaters tourism design is an archetype of "responsible tourism". The state has introduced regulations that mandate houseboats to install sewage treatment systems to prevent waste from polluting the water. It also promotes community-led homestays, which ensures that villagers, too, are stakeholders who directly benefit from this tourism.

Himachal Pradesh’s eco-tourism policy aims to effectuate a regulatory approach that aligns tourist numbers with a destination’s "carrying capacity" to prevent overburdening traditional hotspots. Moreover, there is an emphasis on trekking and nature walks that can prove to be a valuable lesson for Rajasthan in implementing a customized plan to manage crowded tourist spots.

How Rajasthan’s Tourism Industry Can Adapt

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1. Greywater Reuse Across All Hotels

Greywater recycling involves collecting and treating wastewater from household sources such as showers, sinks, and washing machines (excluding toilet water) to be reused for non-potable purposes, such as landscape irrigation and toilet flushing. By and large, this system can help conserve freshwater, reduce wastewater pollution, and save money on water bills by providing a supplementary, sustainable water source. This method can be inculcated in the tourism industry through a variety of ways:

1. For all new hotel constructions and major renovations, the inclusion of greywater recycling systems for non-potable uses such as toilet flushing and landscape irrigation should be compulsory.

2. Financial incentives (e.g., tax breaks, subsidies) can be offered to retrofit existing hotels and their facilities with greywater treatment and reuse systems.

3. To expedite these processes, technical guidance and training programs for hotel staff on the operation and maintenance of greywater systems can be given to ensure efficiency and compliance.

4. Public Awareness Campaigns on water literacy and educating tourists about the hotels' greywater initiatives can make tourists active participants, rather than merely being active consumers. There have been multiple cases where the tourists, instead of being bothered by the water scarcity initiatives imposed by their hotels, have lauded efforts by participating and being respectful.

2. Regulating Tourist Carrying Capacity in Fragile Zones

The Tourism industry needs heavy regulation to maintain sustainable levels of tourist influx. No degree of public planning would be sufficient to address the water crisis if the water demand is not regulated. This starts with adequately assessing the need to expand the tourism industry and controlling the movement of tourists within the state. A few measures they can take include:

1. Environmental Impact Assessments (EIAs) need to be conducted for all new tourism developments and significant expansions in ecologically sensitive areas.

2. Zoning Regulations should be strictly enforced around water bodies and protected areas to deter urban encroachment and illegal construction. 

3. Dynamic carrying capacity models need to be developed and implemented to calculate the sustainable carrying capacity of fragile tourist zones, accounting for water availability, ecological sensitivity, and local community needs. 

4. Timed entry systems, pre-booking requirements, and limits on daily visitor numbers for popular sites can be introduced via online ticketing platforms that automatically cap entries.

5. New tourist destinations in Rajasthan that face less water paucity should be promoted among visitors. The state’s policy, in addition to being sustainable, can also distribute the swarm of tourists from popular cities to other underrated and memorable attractions in cities of Khumbhalgarh, Alwar, Barli, Sekhawati, Ganganagar, Pali, etc.

3. Strict Bans on Unregulated Sewage Discharge into Water Bodies

A ban on dumping untreated sewage is necessary to protect groundwater and local water systems from collapsing.. Pollution levels also need to be controlled to ensure water quality meets international safety norms, for humans and non-humans alike. The tourism industry and the government would have to collaborate to implement measures such as:  

1. Establish dedicated enforcement teams with the authority to levy fines and impose stricter penalties to deter violations.

2. The installation of functional Sewage Treatment Plants (STPs) for all hotels, resorts, and large establishments in tourism-heavy areas should be mandated. Regular inspections should ensure these STPs are operating effectively.

3. Decentralize wastewater treatment solutions for smaller communities and homestays while encouraging cost-effective, environmentally sound methods.

4. Set up a public portal or hotline for locals and tourists to report instances of illegal waste and sewage discharge. This will enable authorities to respond to real-time problems swiftly.

5. Expand and improve municipal sewage collection and treatment infrastructure in key tourism cities to reduce reliance on unregulated disposal methods.

4. Water Budgeting for New Tourism Infrastructure

Creating a water budget in tandem with regulating the tourist demand can stimulate better public planning for infrastructure and economic activities. This will also help ensure no service disruptions for utilities like water, energy, public transport, and more, as the level of tourists would be steady throughout the year. A few interventions include:

1.  Mandatory water audits must be conducted on all new tourism infrastructure projects (hotels, resorts, theme parks, etc.), which would entail submission of a detailed water budget as part of their approval process. 

2. Stringent water-efficiency standards should be grounded, particularly for activities such as plumbing fixtures, landscaping, and operational practices in new tourism developments. This could include mandatory use of low-flow toilets, water-efficient irrigation systems, and smart water metering.

3. Incentivise tourism projects that produce a net positive impact on local water resources, for instance, through rainwater harvesting, groundwater recharge initiatives, or wastewater reuse beyond their own consumption.

4. Water budgeting for new tourism infrastructure can also be fully integrated with regional water management plans and allocations, prioritizing local needs and ecological balance.

5. Rainwater Harvesting

The state and private actors must take measures to replenish groundwater through traditional and modern techniques. Capturing rainwater can help repair the long-term damage to local hydrology caused by overconsumption. A few methods that can be used are:

1. Implementing rainwater harvesting systems into the built environment of Rajasthan’s commercial and residential buildings through retrofitting 

2. Mandating rainwater harvesting technology in all new construction coming up in Rajasthan 

3. Digging ‘bunds’ into the land to capture rainwater directly into the groundwater system

6. Fostering Socio-cultural Sustainability

This would include utilising the state’s heritage to lower the water footprint without compromising tourist experiences. 

1. Rajasthan’s desert-adapted cuisine includes dishes like dal baati, ker sangri, and bajra rotis that have evolved in scarcity and use crops that need little water. It is a rare yet fascinating opportunity that can promote culinary tourism.

2. Festivals, too, can shift from water-heavy activities to cultural expressions such as Kalbelia dance, puppet shows, camel fairs, and folk music. 

3. Storytelling traditions like phad paintings and Manganiyar songs can anchor tourist evenings without resource strain. 

4. Community-led homestays and rural treks offer mesmeric experiences where tourists learn about stepwells, johads, and local traditions. 

Way forward

Rajasthan’s booming tourism sector could become a burden on its persisting water shortage problems if it does not adapt to environmentally friendly mechanisms. The water crisis must be taken seriously by the state and local governments and acted upon with urgency. Crossing the planetary boundaries for the water cycle will not just be disastrous for Rajasthan’s residents; it will lead to a collapse of Rajasthan’s economy and increase desertification manifold. Rajasthan’s tourism can be a part of the solution towards circumventing resource scarcity, all while ensuring good hospitality and richer experiences.

References

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Per Capita Water Availability, NITI Aayog. (n.d.). Retrieved September 3, 2025, from https://iced.niti.gov.in/climate-and-environment/water/per-capita-water-availability. 

Rajasthan State Environment Policy 2010. (n.d.). Retrieved September 2, 2025, from https://environment.rajasthan.gov.in/content/dam/environment/pdf/rajenvis/act&rules/policy/environment_policy.pdf. 

Tandon, A. (2024, September 26). Rethinking tourism could save Udaipur from its pressures. Retrieved from https://india.mongabay.com/2021/09/rethinking-tourism-could-save-udaipur-from-its-pressures/. 

Tourism. (n.d.). Retrieved from https://rising.rajasthan.gov.in/tourism. 

Sharma, A. & Swargiya P.N.K.S Govt. P.G. College. (2024, July). PROBLEM AND PROSPECTS OF TOURISM IN RAJASTHAN. International Journal of Global Research Innovations & Technology (IJGRIT) (Vol. 02, pp. 43–47). Retrieved from https://inspirajournals.com/uploads/Issues/831563675.pdf. 

Various steps taken to increase availability of fresh drinking water. (n.d.). Retrieved from https://www.pib.gov.in/Pressreleaseshare.aspx?PRID=1881841#:~:text=6.-,Atal%20Bhujal%20Yojana,as%20well%20as%20agriculture%20purposes

World Bank Group. (2025, June 12). Changing Lives: Uttarakhand is transforming water services. World Bank. https://www.worldbank.org/en/news/feature/2025/05/22/a-paradigm-shift-helps-uttarakhand-transform-its-water-services.