Fighting against POLLUTION to Save Environment

Suggested guidelines for green belts in industrial area:

ENCOLOGY, 9(7) : 21-25, 1994.

D. B. BORALKAR
Central Pollution Control Board, CBD-Cum Office Complex, Delhi -110 032.

Table 6 : Plant species suitable for growing along the effluent drains.

Chemical Sprays

The pollutent injury to plants may be reduced by the use of certain chemical agents. A wide range of compounds are known to have protective ability.

Potassium ascorbate

0.02M solution of potassium ascorbate (C6H7O6) may be sprayed once after 2-3 weeks of plantation. Potassium ascorbate is known antidote to SO₂ phyto-toxicity in initial stages. Root feeding of calcium and potassium salts of ascorbic acid also reduce air pollution injury.

Urea

Foliar application of 1% urea solution once in a month increases the air pollution tolerance in the plants.

Photosynth

Recently M/s Hindustan Lever have started marketing a chemical namely PHOTOSYNTH which helps in photosynthesis of plants. This may also be used.

SELECTION OF PLANT SPECIES

The green belts are required to establish for different specific requirements of the area and type of pollution prevailing. Based on the studies carried out in Indian conditions plant species have been categorized for their suitability for plantation of green belts as follows :- (Contd. on page 25)

• (A) Plant species for dust polluted areas (Table 1)
• (B) Plant species for areas of gaseous pollution (Table 2)
• (C) Plant species for roadways (Table 3)
• (D) Plant species for industrial premises (Table 4)
• (E) Plant species around sewage treatment plants (Table 5)
• (F) Plant species along the effluent drains and canals (Table 6)