Dharamshala: The Himachal Pradesh Pollution Control Board (HPPCB) has launched its Golden Jubilee celebrations. Chief Minister Thakur Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu unveiled a commemorative calendar and logo in Kangra.
The calendar outlines 50 activities to be held from December 21, 2024, to December 21, 2025. These activities are aimed at raising awareness about environmental conservation.
However, the celebrations come amid the board’s dismal track record. The HPPCB has faced consistent criticism for its selective and ineffective functioning.
The plastic heaps in towns and ULBs and water pollution in BBN abound in Himachal Pradesh.
River of plastic, Ashwini Khad, carrying trash and junk of Shimla during the Monsoons and IIT Mandi study detecting dangerous toxic levels in Baddi underground water has exposed the true face of the Pollution board.
Pollution levels in industrial corridors like Baddi-Barotiwala-Nalagarh, Kala Amb, and Paonta Sahib remain unchecked. Industrial violators continue to operate with impunity.
Critics accuse the board of focusing more on symbolism than action. The Golden Jubilee logo will now appear on all official correspondence.
Regional offices plan to hold cleanliness drives from December 21, 2024, but there was hardly any. However, these token efforts do little to address the state’s pressing environmental challenges.
Regional officers have come under fire for their inaction against polluters.
The board’s approach has eroded public trust over the years. Its selective enforcement has often favored major industrial polluters. Smaller violators including apple farmers are targeted, while larger offenders remain untouched.
This inconsistency has drawn ire from both citizens and regulatory bodies.
A special event is planned for early 2025 to honor retired employees of the board. Environmental activists have criticized this move. They argue that the focus should be on tackling pollution and holding violators accountable.
Neither the Chief Minister nor the HPPCB outlined any plans to curb industrial pollution. The announcement failed to address how the board will deal with repeat offenders.
The HPPCB’s Golden Jubilee plans highlight its preference for optics over accountability. The celebrations risk becoming a distraction from the state’s worsening pollution crisis.
Critics are calling for a complete overhaul of the board’s operations. Will the Golden Jubilee will be worth a action or will it feel like a golden opportunity wasted?
