Bengaluru: While the manifestos of various parties have promised to treat air pollution as a national emergency, the city’s civic administration is already taking measures in this regard.
The BBMP is tasked to not only to increase the green space in the city by utilising the vacant areas in schools, but plant native species of trees which could bring down pollution levels in the city.
According to the official documents, such trees will be planted across Central Silk Board, Whitefield industrial area and other heavily polluted junctions. The Air Quality Index (AQI) in these areas remain high throughout the year.
An official working with the board apprised that the decision was taken last year. “Yes, the trees usually develop roughness and the impact of pollution is exhibited on its leaves. This would give us an indication about the level of pollutants.”
December is the time frame within which the implementation has to be done.
Due to space constraints the installation of air monitoring equipment is not viable said the KSPCB official, adding that the trees would not only act as absorbents, but provide respite from the extreme heat.
Last year, the former chairman of the Karnataka State Pollution Control Board (KSPCB), Lakshman said the board would provide a grant of Rs 8 lakh to the Indian Institute of Horticulture Research (IIHR) to study the species of trees which could bring down air pollution.
