Thiruvananthapuram: Tree Walk activists in the capital conducted a walk on Sunday to three green lungs in the city to highlight the importance of green lungs in reducing temperature and absorbing carbon dioxide.
Former union environment minister Jairam Ramesh lauded the initiative, saying that “the small attempt goes a long way in creating a better world where history, heritage, ecology and economy can work together.
”The walk provided some positive insights. “It was found that though Putharikandam maidan has over 160 trees belonging to 61 species, the temperature variation from a treeless zone is less by 3 degree centigrade only. In the Gandhi Park with 55 trees belonging to 25 species, temperature dropped by 4 degree centigrade. In the Attakulangara School with 32 species, the mercury dropped by 5-6 degree centigrade,” Anitha Sharma of Tree Walk.
The factors that contribute to temperature reduction are the presence of natural ground or soil uncovered by concrete or tiles, the canopy cover of the trees in the area and the species of trees planted. In Putharikkandam and Gandhi Park, the canopy was patchy and the ground was covered with concrete and tiles.
In the Attakulangara School the presence of natural soil along with the closed canopy of huge trees like Rain trees contributed to the coolness.
“The immediate effects of Climate Change will be borne by the cities of the world where more than 54 percent of the world population living there,” Jairam Ramesh said. “The need of the hour is to envisage development plans with long term perspectives and vision and seek out alternatives so that the trees and open spaces in this heritage zone remain for future generations,” he added.
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