The people of Lahore continues to suffer health issues mainly because of the coverage of smog in across the city. It is to be pointed that, the smog is now having a great coverage in the areas with relatively more trees and green spaces.
Two areas with having a better tree cover recorded an Air Quality Index of over 500, while the city has an average of 396. Experts have said that instead of making the environment clean, trees in these areas are stopping the dispersal of pollutants and trapping particulates for a longer time.
As per the IQAir, the average air quality in the Polo Ground and FAST University areas was at a hazardous level of 545 and 518.
Whereas, the Air Quality Index levels in other areas were also dangerous, with the worst affected regions being Pakistan Engineering Service (448), Netsol (443), Syed Maratib Ali Road (442), UMT Lahore (439), CERP Office (440), US Consulate (418), and Zacky Farms (413).
Meanwhile, climate expert, Dawar Hameed Butt, said now the crop burning in the peripheries is over, most of Lahore’s pollution is coming from the activities within the city.
He added that, the air quality index across the greener areas was mainly high because of the emissions from massive traffic movement during the rush hours.
He also made a clarification that having a better tree cover does not control the smog levels, and in this case, trees might be exacerbating the air quality. “Trees can stop the dispersal of pollutants and keep particulates in these areas for longer time. They act like walls, so if pollution is inside, they can keep them inside for longer period of time.”
Meanwhile, experts and activists have also urged the authorities to start considering more effective and long-term actions for reducing the source of air pollution and improving the smog situation.
The calls came at a time when the Lahore Waste Management Company started a citywide cleanup initiative. The teams washed over 200km of roads alongside mechanical sweeping of over 900 km.
