Dust Pollution and Its Influence on Floral Health and Productivity in Khirai Flower Valley, Paschim Medinipur, West Bengal

Abstract: Floriculture plays a crucial role in sustaining rural livelihoods and promoting local tourism in West Bengal, with Khirai Flower Valley emerging as a prominent seasonal flower-growing landscape. In recent years, increasing dust generated from vehicular movement, agricultural operations and soil disturbance has posed a growing threat to floral health and productivity. The present study investigates the impact of dust deposition on selected flowering plants in Khirai Flower Valley, Paschim Medinipur district, West Bengal. Primary data were collected through systematic field observations, measurement of dust accumulation on leaf and petal surfaces, and evaluation of flowering characteristics such as bloom duration, flower size and incidence of flower drop. The findings indicate that higher dust load on plant surfaces significantly reduces photosynthetic efficiency by obstructing stomatal openings and limiting light interception, resulting in physiological stress and reduced flowering performance. Dust accumulation also accelerates flower abscission and degrades the aesthetic and market quality of flowers, adversely affecting both floriculture and tourism potential. The study emphasizes the need for effective dust mitigation measures, including roadside vegetation buffers, regulation of traffic movement and sustainable land-use practices, to protect the ecological and economic value of Khirai Flower Valley.