Rapid urbanisation and industrialisation have created severe imbalances in the environment of India’s cities. Thankfully, there are still some travel destinations that have managed to escape growing pollution levels due to due diligence and efforts.
Have a look at the greenest cities in India (in no particular order) with minimum pollution, and what it takes to make it to the list!
1. Kinnaur, Himachal Pradesh – Famed as the place in India with the cleanest air, Kinnaur is an under-rated tourist destination in Himachal Pradesh. If you are planning to visit Shimla or Manali, visit Kinnaur instead, and you’ll be treated with a fresh bout of pure air. The level of particulate matter (which causes pollution) in the air of Kinnaur is, on average, 10 % lesser than our national air quality target.
2. Kollam, Kerala- Formerly known as Quilon, this port city of India flaunts fantastic natural beauty and also has excellent quality of air and water. Famous for low levels of air pollution, and high air quality and drinking water quality, Kollam is one of the most unpolluted cities of India, without a doubt. Add to that a good number of well-kept parks and pristine lakes that are dotted with coconut and cashew plantations on the banks, and you’ve got a winner. Visit Kollam for its pretty beaches and serene backwaters, and treat yourself with a bout of fresh air, since the air quality of Kollam is said to be one of the best in the world.
3. Pondicherry, Tamil Nadu- A splash of fresh yellow, an international vibe amalgamated with Indianness, hippie, spiritual, and classically beautiful, Pondicherry is so much more than just a destination. While there are plenty of reasons why you should visit Pondi, as it is delightfully called, one of the prime reasons is its quality of air and water. The destination has seen a remarkable increase in the air and water quality, thanks to the combined efforts of the local government, NGOs, and the people.Today, Pondicherry is one of the least polluted cities in India, along with being an immensely popular tourist destination. Do you need more reasons to go here?
4. Gandhinagar, Gujarat – The city ranks high in air quality, and consistently sees some of the least air pollution in India. Add to that first-rate drinking water quality, low levels of noise pollution, and well-planned garbage disposal, and you would want to pack your bags and move here permanently. Gandhinagar is Gujarat’s capital city, and is popular for its admirable neighborhoods, parks, and retreats. It is a great destination if you are looking for a splash of green. Authorities make special efforts, like constantly planting and maintaining trees to keep the pollution levels low, which makes it one of the greenest cities of India.
5. Chandigarh, Haryana/Punjab – One of the most well-planned cities of India, Chandigarh is a delight to visit and stay in. Although the city is struggling to reduce its air pollution levels further, what sets it apart from other rapidly developing cities in the country is the verdant parks that adorn it. With spacious roads, well-organised traffic, and good quality air to breathe, it could be anyone’s dream city!
Plan a trip to Chandigarh and visit the Rock Garden. An epitome of wealth from waste, this park was designed using figures from recycled waste!
6. Hassan, Karnataka – Located a short drive away from Karnataka, this destination is a peaceful bounty of nature that is pristine, clean and green. Famed as the ‘poor man’s Ooty’, Hassan was termed the third least-polluted city in India by the World Health Organisation in May, 2016. The district’s air is considered to be purer than most of the cities in India and has 6x lesser pollution than our capital city.
Gangtok, Sikkim – This delightful city nestles in the majestic Himalayas and is one of the least polluted cities in India. The city has stunning natural beauty owing to the Himalayas, and mystic Tibetan monasteries that can transfer you into a sublime world away from the chaos. Just a few kilometers away from the Chinese border, on your visit to Gangtok, you can plan a trip to the Nathu La pass and the Tsomgo Lake.The Government has taken special efforts to maintain its cleanliness as well as low levels of air and water pollution. Visit Gangtok, and breathe in pure air from the Himalayas!
8. Madurai, Tamil Nadu – Famed as the ‘Athens of the East’, Madurai is one of the most ancient cities of India. It has a great set of history, mythology, and culture associated with it since its existence. The city is listed by WHO in its “five least-polluted cities in India” list. This is the result of constant effort by the government, local organisations, as well as the local population. The number of vehicles in the city has risen in recent years, and air pollution has hence increased. But the city has implemented interesting initiatives to cope with the same. For the city’s ample dust, huge road-sweeping machines work constantly, setting an excellent example for other cities of India.
9. Nagpur, Maharashtra – Nagpur has classically been one of the cleanest cities of India, which remains partly true to date. The increasing air pollution is a major concern that the city needs to resolve in the coming few years. But it still ranks among India’s greenest cities, with well-manicured parks, gardens, and ample tree plantation within the city. Nagpur also has good levels of accessibility to clean drinking water and very little noise pollution. The city of oranges may need to buck up, but it remains one of the cleanest places in India.
These are just nine cities but if we work together to make our cities pollution free, there can be many added to the list.
