Greening cities has become one of the defining themes of urban planning in India. Across the country, municipalities proudly announce plantation drives, highlight the number of saplings planted, widen medians to accommodate trees, and carve out green belts to curb dust. The sight of tree-lined avenues and landscaped parks is undoubtedly a relief in an era of choking smog and record-breaking heat. Yet, behind this enthusiasm lies a reality we are often reluctant to acknowledge: not all greenery is necessarily good for health. Poorly chosen or badly maintained vegetation can aggravate respiratory illnesses, heighten allergies, and in some cases, worsen the very pollution it was intended to mitigate. If India’s urban spaces are to become truly liveable, the goal must shift from making them merely greener to making them genuinely healthier.
For most of us, the presence of trees and gardens is instinctively associated with cleaner air. However, scientific evidence tells a more complex story. Several ornamental and fast-growing species commonly used in city landscaping release large amounts of allergenic pollen. Mulberry, ash, and certain grasses are among the worst culprits. In densely populated cities, their pollen translates into seasonal spikes in asthma, allergic rhinitis, and chronic bronchitis.
Neglected lawns also accumulate dust, which rises easily into the air during dry spells, further irritating the lungs. The story of Parthenium hysterophorus, or “Congress grass”, is a classic example.
Introduced decades ago, it spread unchecked across India’s cities and has become one of the most allergenic plants known. Its flowering seasons consistently coincide with increases in hospital visits for respiratory distress. Doctors at AIIMS in Delhi have long observed that asthma admissions rise sharply during these periods.
A 2023 study by the Indian Council of Medical Research linked respiratory distress in schoolchildren directly to high pollen levels in urban parks. Ironically, the very “green lungs” of our cities often end up straining the lungs of their citizens. The solution lies not in rejecting greenery but in making smarter choices. Urban landscaping must prioritise species that do not endanger public health. Native, low-allergen trees such as neem, jamun, amla, or peepal not only provide shade and absorb pollutants but also yield edible or medicinal benefits, all without releasing harmful levels of pollen.
Avoiding monocultures is equally important. When a single species dominates an entire stretch of road or park, it concentrates allergens and exposes whole neighbourhoods to unnecessary risks. Planting a diverse mix spreads these risks, enhances ecological balance, and creates healthier habitats for pollinators, birds, and bees. Gender balance in planting is another detail often overlooked. Many dioecious species — trees with separate male and female plants — are disproportionately planted with male trees because female trees drop fruit and seeds that require cleaning. Yet, it is the male trees that release massive amounts of pollen. A more balanced planting pattern would reduce pollen loads and restore ecological equilibrium.
Healthy landscaping also means creating protective green buffers. Shrubs and trees planted along highways can filter dust and vehicular emissions before they enter residential neighbourhoods. Dense foliage serves as a natural barrier, while taller trees form canopy cover that cools microclimates and combats the urban heat island effect. In compact city spaces, vertical gardens and rooftop greenery offer alternatives, absorbing pollutants and lowering temperatures without adding to pollen burdens.
Even neglected plots of land can be transformed into “mini-forests” using dense
planting techniques such as the Miyawaki method, which creates small but vibrant ecosystems that act as breathing sanctuaries for local communities.
The benefits of these interventions, however, can only be realised with proper maintenance. A tree left unpruned before flowering can flood the air with pollen. Lawns allowed to dry out quickly become dust reservoirs. Roadside plants coated with soot and dust can re-release pollutants into the atmosphere unless they are periodically washed.
Municipal bodies must therefore view landscaping not as a ceremonial exercise tied to plantation drives, but as a continuous public health service. Seasonal pruning, replacing high-pollen grasses with allergy-friendly ground covers, and regular upkeep should be considered essential components of urban planning. If cities are to move from greener to healthier, landscaping must also be linked to healthcare systems.
Pollen-monitoring stations should be established and advisories issued much like weather alerts. Such information would be invaluable for vulnerable groups such as children, the elderly, and asthma patients. Hospitals and clinics, too, could prepare for predictable seasonal surges in respiratory illnesses. Public awareness campaigns must educate citizens about pollen peaks, safe outdoor hours, and the importance of protective measures like masks or indoor air filters. Schools, in particular, should be landscaped only with safe species so that young children are not exposed to respiratory hazards during their formative years.
Communities and institutions have a vital role to play in this transformation. Resident Welfare Associations can ensure that local parks are maintained in allergy-friendly ways and that pruning schedules are followed. Schools and colleges can serve as demonstration sites, teaching students about biodiversity and showing how health-friendly greenery can be integrated into urban life. Corporate Social Responsibility funding presents another powerful opportunity. Companies can invest in biodiversity parks, vertical gardens, or roadside green belts, contributing not just to environmental sustainability but also to measurable improvements in public health. Aligning corporate initiatives with citizen well-being enhances both community trust and ecological impact.
The challenge is made more urgent by climate change. Rising temperatures are lengthening pollen seasons, while erratic weather patterns worsen air pollution. This calls for climate-smart landscaping — choosing drought- and heat-resistant native species, expanding rooftop greenery to counter heat islands, and aligning green interventions with broader resilience programmes such as the National Clean Air Programme and the Smart Cities Mission. Adopting a “One Health” approach that links human health, ecological balance, and climate action is no longer optional. It is the only way to ensure that urban greenery strengthens, rather than undermines, the health of citizens.
Ultimately, India’s cities need greenery, but not at the expense of public well-being. Poorly chosen species and inadequate maintenance make life harder for those already vulnerable to pollution and climate stress. On the other hand, thoughtful species selection, biodiversity, balanced planting, and scientific upkeep can transform urban greenery into a form of ecological medicine.
As India urbanises rapidly, the true test of urban greening should not be how many saplings are planted, but how many citizens — especially children and the elderly — can breathe easier because of them.
The writer is retired IFS officer