Agriculture Ministry to distribute 1 million seedlings to fight air pollution
The Agriculture and Cooperatives Ministry is launching a campaign to tackle the air pollution problem and high levels of particulate matter less than 2.5 microns in diameter.
The campaign is in cooperation with the National Research Council of Thailand (NRCT), the Bangkok Metropolitan Administration (BMA) and the private sector.
Agriculture and Cooperatives Minister Chalermchai Sri-on said on Thursday (January 30): “This project is called the ‘Green City Initiative by MOAC’ and will be kicked off on February 9 at Siam Paragon Shopping Complex. We plan to distribute seedlings of six plants that are known to be effective in absorbing air pollution.”
The six plants to be distributed to participants of the activity, which will be presided over by Prime Minister Prayut Chan-o-cha, are little yellow star, spider plant, fern, coatbuttons, cypress pine and calathea roseopicta. “These can be planted either indoors, in the garden, or along the roads to help absorb air pollution and build the immune system for Bangkok in the long term,” he added. “Furthermore, it could lead to a career opportunity in growing these seedlings and selling them if more people are interested.”
Chalermchai said that after the campaign kicks off, agencies under BMA and private partners will continue to distribute seedlings to people in Bangkok and its perimeter areas, with the aim to distribute one million seedlings in total. “Interested peoole can register at the website www.green-city.online, and select their preferred location to pick up the seedlings at a maximum of five seedlings per person,” he added.
“The campaign will also give away seedlings to temples, schools, hospitals and public places in Bangkok who express interest in becoming lungs of the city, and will later expand to other provinces in the future,” added Chalermchai.
