changeadminAn innovative structure created using air-purifying plants was inaugurated in an urban park in Delhi last week. The installation is named ‘Breathable Art’ and will also serve as an interactive public engagement piece to raise awareness of air pollution and promote sustainable urban living.
The structure, located at Swarn Jayanti Park, Rohini, is sponsored by India’s Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change (MoEFCC), with support from the Commission for Air Quality Management (CAQM) and the Delhi Development Authority (DDA).
The initiative is part of the ‘Breath of Change – Clean Air, Blue Skies’ campaign, held under the Environment Education, Awareness, Research and Skill Development (EEARSD) Scheme of the Indian government.
The arch-shaped structure is lined up with different air-purifying plants stacked in rows on either side. The plants used in ‘Breathable Art’ include Areca palm, bamboo palm, money plant, snake plant, spider plant, parijat, peace lily, arrowhead, weeping fig, and zigzag plant.
These species are known for removing common outdoor pollutants such as formaldehyde and benzene, regulating humidity levels, and improving air quality, especially beneficial during dry winter months when respiratory discomfort is common.
QR stickers are pasted on the planters, allowing visitors to scan them on their smartphones to view the specific plant details. Through QR-code–enabled educational content, visitors can learn about the plants’ physiological features and their role in purifying the air.
Ultimately, ‘Breathable Art’ embodies the vision of a greener, more breathable Delhi, where art and nature coexist to remind every citizen that sustainability begins with a single breath.
Given the persistent air quality challenges in Delhi, this installation provides a natural, passive solution while also enhancing urban green spaces. The structure is envisioned to serve as:
- An Educational Hub for students, eco-clubs, and residents.
- A Community Initiative involving RWAs, schools, colleges, municipal bodies, and volunteers.
- A Strategic Intervention in air pollution hotspots, with long-term maintenance in collaboration with civic bodies and local groups.
As a piece of environmental art, the expected outcomes include increased ecological awareness, wider adoption of eco-friendly lifestyles, and the transformation of urban spaces through nature-based solutions. This will establish a flagship model for clean air awareness in Delhi.
The ‘Breathable Art’ installation stands as a creative and meaningful step toward promoting sustainable urban living and environmental consciousness. By combining the aesthetic appeal of art with the natural air-purifying power of plants, it transforms public spaces into living symbols of ecological balance.
This innovative initiative demonstrates how nature-based, participatory solutions can inspire awareness, nurture community involvement, and encourage behavioural change for cleaner air and healthier cities.
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