Patiala, October 17: Four environmental initiatives from Punjab have found a place in the Central Pollution Control Board’s (CPCB) Compendium of Best Practices under the National Clean Air Programme (NCAP), 2026, highlighting the state’s efforts to tackle air pollution through public participation, cleaner technologies and sustainable waste management.
The recognised initiatives are Mission Clean Patiala, an Air Pollution Control Device installed at a traditional crematorium in Patiala, gas-based crematoria in Mandi Gobindgarh and a bio-methanation plant in Gobindgarh.
The Punjab Pollution Control Board (PPCB) said these interventions reflect the importance of addressing pollution at its source and adopting practical solutions suited to local needs.
Cleanliness campaign targets waste burning
Mission Clean Patiala, launched by the PPCB in association with the District Administration and Municipal Corporation, Patiala, was conceptualised in collaboration with the Centre for Study of Science, Technology and Policy (CSTEP).
The initiative brings educational institutions, government departments, organisations and residents together to improve urban cleanliness through regular road-cleaning drives and responsible waste management.
A key focus is to prevent the accumulation of waste and discourage open burning, which contributes to particulate pollution. By encouraging citizens to participate in environmental protection, the campaign aims to establish cleanliness as a continuing public habit rather than a one-time exercise.
Crematorium interventions combine tradition and technology
Punjab’s efforts to control emissions from cremation activities have also received recognition. An Air Pollution Control Device installed at a traditional wood-based crematorium in Patiala is being implemented as a pilot intervention under NCAP to reduce particulate emissions.
The initiative seeks to demonstrate how pollution-control technology can be introduced without disregarding established religious and cultural practices.
Gas-based crematoria in Mandi Gobindgarh represent an alternative approach to conventional wood-based cremation, with a focus on cleaner operations and reducing associated emissions.
Bio-methanation supports resource recovery
The bio-methanation plant in Gobindgarh has been recognised for its role in sustainable organic-waste management. The facility processes biodegradable waste to produce biogas, helping recover resources and divert suitable waste from conventional disposal methods.
The environmental benefits of such facilities depend on effective waste segregation, appropriate plant operations and sustained implementation. Alongside cleaner cremation technologies and community-led cleanliness measures, bio-methanation offers another way to address urban environmental challenges.
The four initiatives underline the value of combining preventive action, technological interventions and community engagement to improve air quality. Their inclusion in the CPCB compendium could also help inform similar efforts in other cities, depending on local conditions and assessments of performance.
PPCB Chairperson Reena Gupta said the recognition affirmed the importance of combining scientific solutions with people’s participation to achieve lasting environmental improvements.
She said the Board was committed to addressing pollution at its source, encouraging collaboration and developing solutions that could be scaled across Punjab.
Gupta added that the broader vision was to make “Rangla Punjab” a reality through cleaner air, healthier communities and sustainable development.
