The state environment protection and pollution control board is working on a multi-pronged strategy to make the ecologically fragile hill state achieve zero-pollution level by the end of 2006.

Industrial units will not be allowed to function without installing proper pollution control devices from the next year. Separate plans were being implemented to take care of air and water pollution. The responsibility for primary treatment will rest with the unit concerned, while secondary treatment will be carried out through a common facility to be set up and managed by the industrial associations in collaboration with the various government agencies, explains Mr S.P Vasudeva, secretary of the board.

While a project to set up a common effluent treatment plant at Baddi has already been cleared by the government, similar plants are proposed to be set up at Kala Amb, Parwanoo, Barotiwala and Nalagarh. A common facility is being set up at Mazra for the disposal of hazardous solid industrial waste, which contain heavy metals. A special purpose vehicle is being set up for which the government has already given its nod. The solid waste will be disposed of in landfills and after the utilisation of full capacity the site would be used for other purposes.

The board has decided not to allow the disposal of medical waste in landfills. Incinerators are being installed for the disposal of medical waste in major towns. The Irrigation and Public Health Department will put in place sewage treatment plants for all major sewerage schemes.

The installation of appropriate control devices has been made mandatory by the board for all units causing air pollution. While big units like cement plants will have to install the state-of-the-art glass bag filters, the brick kilns and other units have to put in place scrubbers.