NCAP Ranking: Himachal’s Parwanoo Tops List in Small Cities Category

In the category of cities with a population of less than 3 lakhs, Himachal Pradesh’s Parwanoo has been declared the second-best city in the country, according to an annual survey conducted under the National Clean Air Programme (NCAP). The survey ranks towns and cities based on the actions taken to improve air quality.

In the largest category—Category I (cities with populations over 10 lakhs)—Indore secured the top spot, followed by Jabalpur in second place, while Agra and Surat shared the third position.

The NCAP awards aim to recognize cities’ efforts in tackling air pollution and enhancing environmental sustainability. A ceremony hosted by the Ministry of Environment was held today to honor the winners as part of the Wetland Cities Recognition event for 2025.

Indore, the winner in the largest city category, was celebrated for its outstanding environmental initiatives. Over the past year, the city planted more than 1.6 million trees, setting a Guinness World Record. It also operates 120 electric buses and 150 compressed natural gas (CNG) buses as part of its public transport network.

Jabalpur, which secured second place in the same category, has established an 11-megawatt waste-to-energy plant and invested in urban greenery. Agra and Surat, sharing third place, have made significant progress as well. Agra improved old waste dumping sites and implemented Miyawaki afforestation methods, while Surat rolled out an electric vehicle policy offering incentives and tax benefits, maintaining 38% green cover in the city.

In the mid-sized cities category—those with populations between 3 and 10 lakhs—Amravati in Maharashtra claimed first place for its road infrastructure improvements and for converting 19 acres of barren land into dense forest areas.

Jhansi and Moradabad jointly secured the second position, with Jhansi focusing on urban greenery and Miyawaki forests, and Moradabad enhancing road infrastructure and managing construction and demolition waste.

In the smallest category (cities with less than 3 lakhs population), Dewas in Madhya Pradesh stood first for encouraging industries to transition toward cleaner fuels, while Angul in Odisha earned third place for improving road infrastructure.

Notably, Moradabad and Agra have now won the award for the third time, while cities such as Indore, Jabalpur, Surat, Jhansi, Dewas, Parwanoo, and Angul have been recognized for the second time.

Over the last decade, the number of Ramsar sites in India has grown significantly—from 25 in 2014 to 91, reflecting a 250% increase. Indore and Udaipur have also been acknowledged as Wetland Cities under the Ramsar Convention for their efforts in wetland conservation.

This recognition not only highlights the commitment of cities across India toward cleaner air and sustainable development but also reinforces the importance of collective action in safeguarding the environment for future generations.