Guwahati, July 8: As urban India gasps under the weight of hazardous air pollution, a patented innovation from Northeast India is drawing national attention. The Smart Urban Alga Tree, an air-purifying artificial tree developed by Dr. Mautushi Das, Associate Professor in the Department of Botany at the University of Science & Technology Meghalaya (USTM), could become a game-changing solution for India’s polluted cities.

A UK design patent has already been granted to Dr. Das and her co-workers, with an Indian design registration currently under process.

The Smart Urban Alga Tree, also called Pran Vayu (“Life Breath”), is an urban bio-filtration structure that mimics the ecological functions of real trees using microalgae, moss, and smart technology. It is designed to absorb pollutants like sulfur dioxide, nitrogen dioxide, carbon dioxide, and PM 2.5, and convert them into oxygen through photosynthesis—just like a tree, but in locations where planting a tree is not possible.

“The idea came from a simple observation—our cities are filled with traffic intersections and dense spaces, but no infrastructure exists at these spots to actively purify the air,” said Dr. Das. “We wanted to design a solution that fits into these spaces and immediately starts healing the air.”

The structure resembles a futuristic tree—with a steel trunk, concentric metal rings, and algae-infused modules that filter out toxins and release oxygen. Each Smart Urban Alga Tree unit is capable of replicating the air purification power of two mature trees, making it a vital solution in land-scarce city zones.

It also incorporates a self-sustaining maintenance system powered by solar energy, complete with automated watering and ventilation, ensuring year-round functionality with minimal intervention.

India’s major metros—Delhi, Kolkata, Mumbai—and increasingly cities like Guwahati are facing growing health emergencies due to air pollution. The WHO lists air pollution among the leading global health risks, particularly affecting respiratory and cardiovascular health.

But the Smart Urban Alga Tree is more than just a purifier. It integrates public amenities such as benches, charging stations, drinking water dispensers, and solar panels into its design—turning a simple utility structure into a green urban hub.

“It’s a visual and functional intervention,” says Dr. Das. “It blends modern design with biological systems and urban convenience, all while reminding people that clean air is a basic right.”

She has urged both Assam and Meghalaya govt. to look into the innovation as both the states are facing air pollution.  Byrnihat, a town situated near the Assam-Meghalaya border, has consistently been ranked among India’s most polluted cities.

Where Can It Work? Everywhere

The potential applications are vast:

• Traffic-heavy intersections, parking lots, and highways
• Transport terminals (bus stations, airports, railway platforms)
• Commercial and retail spaces like malls, multiplexes, and markets
• Indoor public venues such as pubs, senior care centers, and clubs
• Industrial zones with heavy chemical and particulate discharge
• Any urban area where tree planting is unfeasible

Developed at USTM in Meghalaya, the Smart Urban Alga Tree represents the growing role of Northeast India in national and international scientific innovation.

“The device is for cities where pollution is alarming. The device can be installed at those pockets where planting trees is not possible like the flyovers” she said.

“Our goal is to partner with municipalities, smart city missions, and sustainability-oriented enterprises to bring this to life in high-priority areas,” Dr. Das said. “This is not just about science—it’s about survival.

Also Read: Mizoram tops, Longding trails in NITI Aayog’s New Northeast SDG Index

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