Paradip, March 11: Officials of the Jagatsinghpur district administration, state pollution control board and representatives of industrial houses have worked out a blueprint to expand green cover in and around the town.

Since pollution level in and outside the industrial plants has increased, trees would be planted in new areas stretching up to 10km radius. The industrial units would shell out money for the purpose. The administration will provide the land. The site-selection process will commence shortly and trees will be planted in the barren patches, said Paradip additional district magistrate Ramakrushna Sahu.

According to the amended environment law, each of the industrial units has to transform 33 per cent of the acquired land into green belt. The plantation will not include the patches already covered by plantation, said the board's regional officer Prasant Kumar Kar.

After making an investigation on the prevailing air pollution in Paradip, the board has filed cases against the erring plant managements under the Air (Prevention and Control of Pollution) Act, 1981, he said.

Till date, approximately 6.5 lakh trees have been planted in and around the refinery and township. This green belt will act as a natural pollution sink, said Paradip oil refinery manager (corporate communication) Sangram Mishra.

A sub-committee of the Assembly had earlier expressed concern over pollution in Paradip and called for a long-term environment management plan.