Monday, August 22 2005 15:07 Hrs (IST) - World Time -

New Delhi: Chennai has emerged the least polluted city in a list of 52 cities with a pollution level of just 31 during 2004, Lok Sabha was informed today (Aug 22, 2005).

Based on the monitoring of ambient air quality data as per the levels of Respirable Suspended Particulate Matter (RSPM) measured in residential area during 2004, Chennai was the least polluted city while Raipur, capital of Chhattisgarh, was the most polluted city with pollution level of 275.

"Government has taken a number of steps to abate air pollution and these include enforcement of auto exhaust standards for vehicles at manufacturing stage, introduction of cleaner fuels, improved vehicular technologies and regular monitoring for environmental compliance", said Minister of Environment and Forest A Raja.

Delhi, with a pollution level of 131, ranked 16th and Mumbai at 39th place with a level of 77.

Replying to another question, Minister of State for Environment and Forests Namo Narain Meena said the 10th Five Year Plan envisages an increase in the forest and tree cover to 25 per cent by 2007 and 33 per cent by 2012.

To help achieve this, tree planting targets are fixed under 20-point programme on an annual basis, he said adding besides providing Central financial assistance, State Governments and Union Territory Administrations have been requested to constitute coordination committees to take up increased tree planting.