Green cars spreading awareness on pollution in Diamond City

Surat: In a unique initiative to create awareness among residents on the need to increase green cover in the Diamond City, a textile businessman has got his cars covered with grass.
Viral Desai, a textile businessman, and his manager travel in green cars to spread awareness on tree plantation. Desai told TOI, “According to a recent study by London-based Oxford Economics, Surat will be the world’s fastest growing city during 2019-35 as far as GDP is concerned. When it comes to green cover, the Diamond City is lagging far behind other cities in Gujarat. My green initiative is to inculcate awareness among the people to plant more trees and turn the city green.”
Desai added, “We have designed two green cars. We chalk out the routes one night early and make it a point to park our vehicles in different areas for the people to see and click pictures. As they (people) come near the cars, we start disseminating knowledge about tree plantation, specially indoor plants.”
‘Status of green cover in urban areas of Gujarat’ published by the state forest department in 2011 says the tree cover in the city was estimated to be present in 1,184 hectare of area, which is just 3% of the geographical area-lowest compared to other cities in Gujarat. The city is estimated to have only 3.24 lakh trees.
Desai said his aim is to provide key information to city residents on growing indoor plants to get protection to beat pollution. Different gases and organic compounds are constantly present in the indoor air. Continuous exposure to these compounds, even in low quantities, can adversely impact one’s health. Air purifying plants indoor can help get rid of hazardous pollutants. These plants include money plants, peace lily, snake plant, areca palm, rubber plant, weeping fig, English ivy, Chinese evergreen and spider plant among others.
Desai added, “We provide the plants free of cost to the residents, but they have to sign a form stating that they will nurture them. Our aim is to turn every household in the Diamond City home to indoor plants.”