Leh: In a significant step aimed at promoting ease of doing business and sustainable industrial growth, the Ladakh Pollution Control Committee (LPCC) has issued an updated classification of industries under the “White Category” — which includes sectors considered non-polluting and environmentally benign.
The move, issued through Order No. 19 of 2025 and Order No. 45 of 2025, aligns with the directives of the Government of India and the classification system of the Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB). The CPCB system categorizes industries into Red, Orange, Green, and White based on their pollution potential.
According to the LPCC, industries falling under the White Category include traditional handicrafts, weaving, tailoring, local food processing, herbal products, carpentry (without powered machinery), renewable energy assembly, and small-scale service establishments.
Officials said the updated classification also brings previously unlisted or left-out sectors under the White Category, ensuring uniform regulatory coverage while encouraging small-scale and cottage industries across the Union Territory.
The initiative is designed to reduce compliance burdens, promote eco-friendly entrepreneurship, and facilitate business growth without compromising environmental standards. Industries classified under this category are exempt from obtaining Consent to Establish and Consent to Operate under the Water and Air (Prevention and Control of Pollution) Acts.
The LPCC stated that the comprehensive list of White Category industries is available on its official website https://lpcc.ladakh.gov.in.
