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A Viable Optimum Solution for Air Pollution and Climate Moderation Based On Selected, Suitable Plant Species of Vijayawada Urban Area

Abstract

Vijayawada is the commercial capital of Andhra Pradesh. Many of the agricultural produces from the hinter land arrive here for export to various other parts of the state, country and abroad. Vijayawada is surrounded by small hillocks on all sides making it appear as a basin. Vijayawada is also having excellent network of water bodies with Krishna river on the east and Budameru on the west and three canal systems passing through the city. Yet Vijayawada experiences scorching heat with very high temperatures in summer season. The radiation from the surrounding hillocks keep the city much warm even during the night time. The air pollution in the city is increasing because of rapid industrialization and increase in the density of transport vehicles plying in the city as well as the three important national highways passing through the city. With this background Vijayawada is a suitable city for implementation of viable solution through selected plant species. In this article a detailed description of Air Pollution Tolerance Index was given which makes it possible to delinate plant species as sensitive, intermediatory and resistant to air pollution by planting suitable plant species resistant to air pollution along the highways and along the banks of the canals passing through the city as well as in the parks and green belts developed surrounding the major industries around the city. The vegetative cover when increased substantially will provide not only the natural control of air pollution but also reduce the temperature, pumping moisture by evapotranspiration and moderate the climate. The suitable plant species were suggested in this article. This paves way for steps for environmental management to control air pollution and at the same time provides the desired moderation in climate.

K. Surya kumari, Dr. V. Lakshmana Rao, KPR Vittal Murty

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