Assessment of Traffic-Generated Gaseous and Particulate Matter Emissions of Hirpora Wildlife Sanctuary (Shopian), Jammu and Kashmir, India

Abstract

Construction of famous Mughal road running through Hirpora wildlife Sanctuary, Shopian has resulted in tremendous increase in the number of motor vehicles, which run on different types of fuels. The vehicular traffic is now recognized as one of the main sources of air pollution in Sanctuary and has noticeable impact on air quality. Emissions have been estimated using emission factor and activity based approach recommended by IPCC. The highest concentration of pollutants by different vehicles was recorded in summer (June) which can be attributed to the high vehicular load due to the tourist rush whereas the lowest was recorded in early winter (November). The present observation revealed that the highest emission of criteria pollutants (CO2, CO, NO, SO2, and PM) was emitted by four-wheeler direct injection diesel vehicles (DI) excepting one i.e. carbon monoxide (CO) emitted by four-wheeler gasoline vehicles (4WG). The high emission of pollutants in the summer season (June, July, August) might cause more negative effect to the plants and trees especially to the road side vegetation as compared to early winter season (September, October, November). The number of vehicles was recorded highest in the month of June and lowest was recorded in the month of November. Visiting of the vehicles to the site must be allowed in certain limit in order to keep the fragility of the sanctuary into consideration. The traffic authorities should check the PUC certificate of vehicles before entering the state.