Guntur Installs Andhra Pradesh's First Algae Tree to Fight Urban Smog

The Guntur Municipal Corporation has set up an algae-based artificial tree at Gandhi Park in a first-of-its-kind initiative for Andhra Pradesh. GMC Commissioner K. Mayur Ashok stated that the project aims to fight air pollution and raise oxygen levels in city areas.

Structure and Technology

Mushroom World Umbrella Limited developed the 4.5-metre-tall system. It features a 600-litre transparent chamber holding high-efficiency microalgae strains inside a 1.5-metre footprint. The unit uses solar panels, an aeration system, LED lights, and IoT sensors to track pH, temperature, and airflow. Powered by solar energy, the closed-loop setup pulls in polluted air, absorbs carbon dioxide, and puts out oxygen through natural photosynthesis.

Capacity and Funding

Technical data from the GMC shows that one algae tree equals the carbon absorption power of about 20 to 25 mature trees. It purifies the air within a 15-metre radius and cuts down particulate matter. The pilot project cost about ₹5 lakh and came through Corporate Social Responsibility funding from Lalitha Hospitals under the 'Nava Guntur' initiative.

Future Plans

Commissioner K. Mayur Ashok noted that tree-plantation drives are still a main goal, but these tech units help in crowded spots where normal planting is hard. The GMC will track carbon capture and oxygen numbers before putting similar units in other busy commercial areas.

Context

Urban areas across India frequently face heavy air pollution, making new tech-based green solutions necessary where traditional parks and tree planting face space limits. Pilot projects allow civic bodies to test the real-world performance of such systems before funding city-wide rollouts.