Trees, oxygen banks to save city from heat, polluted air
Varanasi: To mitigate threat of rising atmospheric temperature and climate change, govt is conducting large-scale tree-planting campaign. Additionally, 'oxygen banks' are being developed by creating new forest areas, a milestone in environmental protection and providing clean air.
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Divisional forest officer Swati Srivastava said forests in Varanasi region are being developed using the Japanese Miyawaki technique, in which it takes about two years for saplings to mature. Three new forest areas are being developed in Varanasi, while 5.617 hectares of forest have already been developed in nine locations. The most unique and far-reaching aspect of this ambitious govt campaign is development of 'natural oxygen bank,' also known as 'lungs of the city' aimed at reducing pollution and providing clean air.
Govt is running programmes like National Clean Air Mission, forest fund financing and municipal corporation financing to maintain environmental protection and pure oxygen in the atmosphere. Under this plan, dense forests are being developed using the Miyawaki technique in various city locations. Since 2020-21, 1,70,246 trees planted in nine locations turned into dense forests," said the DFO, adding that tree planting began at three new locations, including Ramna STP Plant and Banas Dairy Amul.
Soil work is underway near Shankar Netralaya by NHAI, where planting will take place soon. Miyawaki method involves planting grass, herbs, shrubs, and small, medium, and large trees.
She said after planting 81,000 trees across three locations on 2.7 hectares, the city's landscape will change. Near Ramna STP, 30,000 trees are being planted on 1 hectare, transforming the area into a dense green zone. A total of 45,000 trees are being planted on 1.5 hectare in Karkhiyav Industrial Area near Banas Dairy to reduce industrial pollution, while 6,000 trees are being planted on 0.2 hectare near Shankar Netralaya by NHAI.
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