Pollution Issues in Baddi, Himachal Pradesh
– Air Pollution: Baddi is considered one of the most polluted towns in India, with an ambient air quality index (AQI) of 416, which is higher than New Delhi’s AQI of 371 ยน. The main contributors to air pollution in Baddi are:
– Construction activities
– Poor road conditions
– Burning of plastic waste, rubber tires, and other materials
– Industrial emissions from pharmaceuticals, chemicals, and other polluting units
– Water Pollution: The Sarsa river, which flows through Baddi, is heavily polluted due to:
– Industrial effluents from pharmaceuticals, chemicals, and other polluting units
– Dumping of toxic waste
– Lack of proper sewage treatment
– Contamination from nearby nullahs (drains)
– Health Impacts: The high levels of air and water pollution in Baddi have severe health implications for residents, including:
– Respiratory problems like asthma, bronchitis, and lung cancer
– Water-borne diseases like gastroenteritis, diarrhea, and renal ailments
– Skin and eye problems
– Other health issues like cardiovascular diseases and tuberculosis
– Industrial Pollution: Baddi has witnessed rapid industrialization since 2003, with over 3950 registered industrial units, many of which are polluting in nature, including:
– Pharmaceuticals
– Chemicals
– Plastics
– Dyeing and boilers
– Cement grinding and blending units
– Lack of Regulation: Despite the severity of pollution in Baddi, there is a lack of effective regulation and enforcement of environmental laws, leading to:
– Continued pollution from industrial units
– Insufficient waste management
– Inadequate sewage treatment
– Lack of accountability among polluters
