Ludhiana: Amid growing concerns about environmental protection, Ludhiana has recorded the second-highest number of cases under environment protection laws among metropolitan cities in the country in 2024, according to the latest National Crime Records Bureau (NCRB) report.
Over the past few years, issues such as pollution, deforestation, climate change, and natural disasters have prompted many across the country to take up environmental causes. Ludhiana has also seen an outpouring of concern for the environment. According to the NCRB report, the industrial city recorded nine cases under environment protection laws in 2024, placing it second among 34 metropolitan cities.
Chhatrapati Sambhajinagar (Aurangabad) in Maharashtra topped the list with 29 cases, while Faridabad in Haryana reported five cases. In 2023, Ludhiana was in third position, with Aurangabad again at the top.
The report indicates that in Punjab, apart from Ludhiana, Fatehgarh Sahib reported one case under the Environment Protection Act. Cases from Ludhiana constituted 19.6% of all cases in the 34 metropolitan cities. The number of such cases in 2024 was 200% higher than in 2023.
Data on cases since 2018 shows that the maximum number was registered in 2021, while no cases were recorded in 2018. However, green activists believe these figures only scratch the surface.
Kapil Arora, founder member of the Public Action Committee (PAC), which takes up environmental issues, said the state government does not seem to follow environmental laws. He alleged that despite moving the National Green Tribunal (NGT) to flag pollution issues, the Municipal Corporation was not presenting the true picture before the apex body.
A PAC member alleged illegal discharge of industrial waste into water bodies and said sewerage disposal was not properly checked. He also highlighted the prevalence of waste burning. Arora said many such cases go unreported.
