Vegetation and Pollution in Delhi-Frequency, Abundance and Density of Plants and Pollutant Levels: An Analysis Gupta Rudraksh1, Ranjan Manju Rawat2, Mina Usha3, Gupta Rajul Kumar4,* 1Post Graduate, Amity Institute of Environmental Sciences, Amity University, Noida 2Associate Professor, Amity Institute of Environmental Sciences, Amity University, Noida 3Associate Professor, School of Environmental Sciences, Jawaharlal Nehru University, New Mehrauli Road, Delhi 4Professor, Army College of Medical Sciences, New Delhi *Corresponding Author Dr Rajul Kumar Gupta, MD (PSM), PhD, Professor, Army College of Medical Sciences, New Delhi-110010, Postal Address: C-14, DDA MIG Flats (Phase 2), Prasad Nagar, New Delhi-110005, e-mail: rajulkgupta@yahoo.co.in, Tele: +91-8527389090
Online published on 31 March, 2020. Abstract The present study endeavours to explore the role of vegetation in air quality improvement at selected sites of Delhi. The study was conducted at four sites of Delhi-Pusa in Central Delhi, ITO in East Delhi, Dwarka in South West Delhi and Rohini in North West Delhi. To monitor and quantify the abundance, frequency and density of vegetation of the sites, belt transect method (with 500m transect and 30 quadrats of 0.5 x 0.5m) was used. Results of the study indicate that Pusa had highest abundance(6.7), frequency(86%) and density(6.2) of vegetation as compared to Dwarka, Rohini and ITO. ITO site has minimum abundance (2.0), frequency (50%) and density (1.9) of vegetation. There was a statistically negative correlation between the abundance, frequency and density of vegetation and ambient levels of chemical air pollutants. Physical pollutant (PM 2.5), doesn't seem to get affected by vegetation. The study indicates that the contribution of vegetation is significant in improving air quality of urban areas. Top Keywords Air quality, Vegetation, Pollution reduction, Abundance, Frequency, Density, Belt transect method, Delhi. Top |