It seems the authorities are turning a blind eye to the green belt programme suggested by the Union Ministry of Environment and Forests for environment management in the Greater Kochi Region.

Despite several assurances given to the greens, they are yet to take any action, especially at a time when the city is gearing up for implementing major infrastructure projects.

The green belt programme has been envisaged as a two-way process.

This includes pollution control near the source so as to attenuate the concentration of pollutants and regulation near the receptor for mitigating pollution exposure of sensitive receptors.

Reduction in industrial and vehicular emissions, organised and controlled burning of wastes wherever applicable and plantation of trees are some of the major recommendations made by the investigating agencies that carried out the study.

A study conducted by the National Environmental Engineering Research Institute (NEERI) has recommended installation of additional devices to reduce emission from various processes in industrial units.

It has suggested evolving a land-use plan evaluation, cleaner technology and fuel gas treatment for reducing air pollution by vehicles. Strict adherence to vehicular emission standards, use of good quality fuel and proper traffic management are some of the other technological and management suggestions forwarded by the agencies involved in the study.

They have recommended plantation of trees along heavy traffic avenues and along major industrial estates in the region. Plant species suitable for pollution control should be selected after conducting scientific studies.

The species selected should be indigenous, fast-growing and self-rejuvenating.

According to the study, the location of industries should be uniformly distributed in the region for maintaining uniform quality of air.

It would be better to locate the industries in the southern part of the region for ensuring uniform distribution of emissions.