Delhi University has opened what it calls India's first Carbon Garden at the Department of Botany. The 2,000 square foot plot holds about 50 plant species, including herbs, shrubs, and trees, plus algae, fungi, bacteria, and Spirulina. The idea is to use plants and microbes to absorb carbon dioxide and some pollutants while improving soil and supporting urban biodiversity. At the launch, Vice Chancellor Yogesh Singh warned that Delhi could become the 'pollution capital' if steps are not taken. He argued that technology alone will not fix environmental damage and called for climate-sensitive urban planning rather than copying building designs from other countries. DU has asked its departments and colleges to consider similar gardens on their campuses. Small green spaces will not solve Delhi's air quality problem by themselves. The value here is as a visible pilot that can be measured, studied, and scaled if the university publishes data on carbon uptake and soil improvement.
