Palghar in this tribal-dominated district is fast emerging as a hub of highly-polluted industries categorised as "red" by the Ministry of Environment and Forests, according to a report.

Painting a bleak picture, a recent report of the Maharashtra Pollution Control Board (MPCB) mentions that out of 7418 classified industries in the district, 2384 or 32 per cent fall in the Red zone, while Palghar accounts for 754 such industrial units.