Seven towns in Himachal Pradesh are under targeted action plans to tackle air pollution, while water quality is being monitored at 250 locations, including 156 rivers and dams, as environmental concerns ranging from pollution and waste management to climate vulnerability and tourism pressure pose challenges for the ecologically fragile hill state.The seven towns — Baddi, Damtal, Kala Amb, Nalagarh, Paonta Sahib, Parwanoo and Jattvibedernagar — have been identified by the Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB) as non-attainment towns.Air pollution control action plans have been prepared for all seven, with their implementation being regularly monitored at review meetings chaired by the Himachal Pradesh Chief Secretary.Sharing this information in Parliament on Tuesday, Minister for Environment Kirti Vardhan Singh said the seven towns received a cumulative Rs 25.73 crore as air quality performance-based incentive grant from 2019-20 to 2025-26 for implementing air quality improvement measures through city action plans under the National Clean Air Programme (NCAP).The NCAP, launched in January 2019, covers 130 non-attainments and million-plus cities across the country, with city action plans prepared to address local sources of air pollution.River and water quality is another major area of environmental monitoring in Himachal Pradesh. Under the National Water Quality Monitoring Programme, 250 locations, including 156 rivers and dams, are being monitored in the state by the CPCB in association with the State Pollution Control Board.Himachal Pradesh constituted a river rejuvenation committee and district-level special environment surveillance task forces in 2018.Based on the committee’s recommendations, action plans were prepared for the seven polluted river stretches identified at that time.Implementation of these action plans is being reviewed regularly by senior state government authorities, including the Chief Secretary, Additional Chief Secretary (Environment) and Principal Secretary (Urban Development).Outlining the national programmes, regulatory measures and environmental safeguards applicable to Himachal Pradesh and other hill states, the Centre’s response to BJP MP Suresh Kashyap’s query did not detail a separate new special environmental protection programme exclusively for Himachal Pradesh.It also did not provide a separate project-wise break-up of sanctions, funding and physical progress specifically for the Shimla Parliamentary constituency, though these details had been sought in the question.Solid waste management has emerged as a key concern for environmentally sensitive hill regions. The Centre has notified the Solid Waste Management Rules, 2026, which specifically lay down criteria and actions for managing solid waste in hilly and island areas and spell out the responsibilities of local authorities.