Guntur Installs State’s First Algae Tree to Combat Air Pollution

Guntur has become the first city in Andhra Pradesh to install an algae tree as part of efforts to reduce air pollution. The unit has been set up at Gandhi Park, where it is expected to help improve air quality. City Commissioner Mayur Ashok explained that the installation is not a natural tree but a 600-litre water tank filled with microalgae. According to him, the system can release oxygen equivalent to that produced by 25 trees. The project was installed at a cost of ₹5 lakh by Lalitha Hospitals under its Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) initiative.

The algae tree uses solar-powered fans to draw in surrounding air. The microalgae absorb carbon dioxide from the air and release oxygen through photosynthesis. Pumps, sensors and LED lights help facilitate the process, enabling photosynthesis to take place faster than in a natural tree, the commissioner explained. The initiative is aimed at using technology to support urban air-pollution control and improve the environment in public spaces.