4000 m away as check area. The results showed that the microbial population i.e., bacteria and fungi was influenced by the cement dust deposition. The minimum population of bacteria 27.1 and 26.9 x 10 5 CFU g -1 was recorded before sowing and after harvest of crop at 250 m and population increased to 87.1 and 89.1 x 10 5 CFU g -1 with increase in distance up to 2000 m distance from cement industry. Similar trend was observed in case of fungal population also. Minimum population of 10.4 and 9.3 x 10 3 CFU g -1 was recorded before sowing and after harvest of crop at 250 m from cement industry and population increased to 26.1 and 25.5 x 10 3 CFU g -1 with increase in distance up to 2000 m from cement industry.