The Environment Programme at CHA has successfully completed a greening project at the CleanCo (Pvt) Ltd. Drive Green Vehicle Emission Testing (VET) Stations. The concept of carbon sinks is based on the natural ability of trees to soak up carbon dioxide from the atmosphere via photosynthesis.

Rainforests and oceans absorb about 50% of the CO2 released by human activity.

Air pollution around VET Stations is very high as all vehicles are made to rev their engine to reach the maximum RPM, which in turn releases high amounts of CO and CO2 and many other air pollutants. The pollution rate is even higher during emission testing of diesel vehicles.

Many of the VET Stations are in bare plots of land; therefore the transfer of pollution to the surrounding area is high and many complaints have been received from the neighborhood.

In order to address these issues in a sustainable and environmentally friendly manner, the Environment Programme at CHA has suggested the planting of trees around VET Stations to work as ‘pollution barriers’ or ‘carbon sinks’ to absorb these emissions.

The trees suggested were species which are tolerant to high levels of pollution and harsh conditions, with leafy canopies and thick cuticles. Bigger plants were used for the larger tree varieties to ensure they will survive in the environment and preference was given to native species that would sustain the natural surroundings. As the land is very bare and exposed to direct sunlight, protective covering was required for the plants until they established well to the soil, to ensure they survived. Enriching the soil was required, as both locations had very compact, barren soil – a mixture of compost, coir, saw dust was mixed with the soil before planting.

Greening of Malabe and Kiribathgoda VET centres was completed and the trees are flourishing.