SACRED WATERS, DYING FAITH: HYDROPOLITICS AND INDUSTRIAL IMPACT ON KATAS RAJ’S CULTURAL CONTINUITY

Abstract

The Katas Raj temple complex in Chakwal, Pakistan, stands as one of the

subcontinent’s oldest living testimonies of sacred ecology and interfaith coexistence. At its heart lies a pond mythically believed to have formed from the tears of Lord Shiva, representing purification and renewal in Hindu cosmology. However, in recent decades, the site has witnessed rapid environmental degradation caused by

industrial expansion - particularly cement factories exploiting local groundwater aquifers. This study investigates how industrial water extraction, state neglect, and religious marginalization have collectively imperiled Katas Raj’s hydrological system and cultural continuity. Drawing on hydrological data, policy analysis, and ethnographic interviews, the research explores the intersection of hydropolitics, heritage management, and faith-based environmentalism. The paper aims to contextualize Katas Raj as a microcosm of Pakistan’s broader struggle to reconcile industrial growth with cultural and environmental preservation.