Question

Give reasons for the following.

Afforestation is emphasized around industrial centers.

Answer 1

Afforestation is strongly emphasized around industrial centers due to the following reasons:

1. Mitigation of Air Pollution: Industrial zones emit large quantities of harmful pollutants such as carbon dioxide, sulphur dioxide, and nitrogen oxides. Trees operate as effective natural air filters, collecting harmful pollutants during photosynthesis and releasing clean oxygen into the atmosphere.
2. Control of Dust and Particulate Matter: Dense green belts around factories act as physical barriers, or “windbreaks”. The leaves and bark of trees capture suspended particulate matter (dust, smoke, and soot particles), preventing it from spreading into surrounding neighbourhoods.
3. Reduction of Noise Pollution: Heavy machinery and industrial operations generate persistent high decibel levels of noise. Trees and dense shrubs naturally absorb, reflect, and deflect sound waves, considerably reducing ambient noise levels in the surrounding communities.
4. Reduction of the Urban Heat Island Effect: Industrial buildings and machinery emit high temperatures. Afforestation provides shade and releases moisture into the air via transpiration, thereby cooling the surrounding microclimate and counteracting localised heating.