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 ¹. 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
