Lamentably both have over the years come under severe threat. In the process, the reputation of the vacation destination vis-à-vis its hill station atmosphere is now at stake.

While haphazard development, loss of green cover and changes at the global level are attributed to the changes in the weather pattern, among the contributory factors identified for the rise in the level of air pollution is the considerable increase in the inflow of tourist vehicles and the number of vehicles belonging to the residents.

Reflecting the sad state of affairs was the sight of police officers and men wearing masks while regulating traffic in various parts of the town on Sunday.

Smoke

Speaking to The Hindu some of them said that at traffic points like Charing Cross, the District Police Office junction and the Collectorate junction, the flow of different kinds of vehicles was non-stop almost throughout the day and the smoke emitted by many of them was suffocating. Even when there was no traffic like early in the morning and late in the night the atmosphere was polluted. Hence it has become necessary to take precautionary measures.

Observers regretted that congestion has never been as bad as it was now and added that along with air pollution, noise pollution has also gone up due to the blaring of horns.

Survey

They recalled that a survey conducted a few years ago had revealed that Charing Cross on the threshold of the town was one of the most polluted. They also pointed out that a few years ago measures had been initiated to check vehicles near Mettupalayam before they started to ascend. However they were short-lived.

Stating that many of the tourists choose to visit hill stations like Ooty only to enjoy the relatively pollution free air, they said that if action was not taken to check the trend, the tourism dependent economy of the district will suffer.