Air Pollution: A Threat to Biodiversity

Abstract

Biodiversity is the basic foundation of human existence which represents important opportunity for 
economic improvement. Apart from long range ecological security it ensures supplies of goods and services that 
are indispensable for human life. But in recent years the large scale urbanization, industrialization and associated 
environmental alteration and its impact on biodiversity pose a threat to human existence through basic necessities, 
recreation and the ecological functions. It is evident that pollution from various sources particularly from 
industries and power plants has negative impacts on biodiversity, irreversible in nature, cause extinction, resulting 
in loss of unique genetic resources of great use. The present paper is an attempt at identification and valuation of 
biodiversity loss due to air pollution in Angul-Talcher industrial area in Orissa. The study is based on a floristic 
study and phytosociological analysis conducted during 1992 and 1993. Herbaceous biomass pattern and 
production and species diversity has been considered as the important indicators of impact of pollution on 
biodiversity in the study area. For the purpose of analysis three sites at different locations has been chosen and it is 
observed that both the biomass production and species composition is much higher in the control site than the 
polluted sites. Though it is difficult to assign a money value to biodiversity but in recent years several attempts 
have been made on the basis of its option and existence values. In the present study, it is observed that the study 
area suffers a biodiversity damage worth about Rs. 6 millions per annum due to air pollution in the area.