Contrary to popular belief that trees fight pollution, several species of plants including cashew, tamarind, guava, mango, custard apple, gulmohar, banyan, sapota and jackfruit, are falling prey to heavy air pollution in the industrial city of Visakhapatnam.

Air pollution in Beijing reached 'hazardous' levels on Monday, the US embassy said, as thick smog blanketed the city for the third day running, forcing the closure of highways and cancellation of flights.

The Chinese capital is one of the most polluted cities in the world, mainly due to its growing energy consumption - much of which is still fuelled by coal-fired power stations - and the high number of cars on the road.