Guru Ghasidas University Campus Greenery for off setting Carbon Dioxide and Improving Students’ Academic Performance

Abstract

The greenery in academic institution reduces CO2 and creates stress free environment to the students' learning. Guru Ghasidas Central University, Bilaspur, India, spread in 262 ha with ample green space, is an education hub for over 9000 students. The land use pattern, greenery, and tree CO2stock were assessed by laying out 54 sample plots (0.1 ha) across the university. Students’ likelihood of greenery and its effects on students' behavior and academic performance were evaluated during 2019-20.. The university has 2/3 green space, 10.64% area under water bodies, and a total built-up area restricted to 15.22%. A total of 61 tree species were identified with a population of 124662 trees on the campus with the highest abundance of Peltophorumferrugineum (17.31%), Eucalyptus globulus (13.69%) among planted tree species. In naturally occurring tree species, Acacia niloticaoccupied highest (88.35%) followed by Buteamonosperma (10.04%). The trees of the university campus stocked 10942.6 tons of CO2. Analysis showed that students rated higher preference to campus greenery with 2.71 points in 0-4 points Likert scale, and improved student’s academic performance.