EVALUATION OF INDUSTRIAL EFFLUENTS AND SOIL PROPERTIES NEAR PHARMACEUTICAL COMPANIES OF HIMACHAL PRADESH (INDIA)

There has been an increase in number of pharmaceutical companies in the present time. A large number of them are located in Himachal Pradesh. The effluents from these industries contaminate the nearby soil and water bodies. Here we analyses the treated waste water and soil from nearby areas for their physical, chemical and biological parameters. The samples were analyzed using standard methods according to WHO & APHA-AWWA-WPCF norms. The results showed a high amount of contamination. The pHs of the water samples showed contrasting features one being slightly alkaline while other highly acidic. The microbial activity was quiet low in the treated waste water while optimum amounts of bacterial and fungal activity was found in the soil samples near the industries. The presence of high amount of sodium and salinity was also observed. This could damage the crop productivity and soil fertility. There is an urgent need to propose strict restrictions on discharge of harmful effluents in the environment