New Delhi: A majority of respondents to a survey on the capital's environment feel that its quality has worsened, while nearly half of them perceive a reduction in the city's forest cover.

The Energy and Resources Institute (TERI) conducted an online environmental survey in Delhi and the National Capital Region (NCR) with the aim of assessing perceptions, opinions, behaviour and awareness of citizens on issues related to environment quality.

The survey notes, "The majority of respondents (50.5 percent in Delhi and NCR) perceived the air quality to have deteriorated while 48 percent of them found a reduction in the forest/green cover."

According to the study, the majority of respondents thought that planting trees was the most important measure to counter environmental degradation.

"Another interesting observation made by people was that they got the least information from books in schools and colleges. Thus, it directly points to the urgent need to look into the syllabi of our education system and put more emphasis on environment awareness," said Ispita Kumar, one of the researchers.

Interestingly, over 80 percent of respondents stated that they looked at energy efficient labelling when buying electrical appliances.

Most respondents were also willing to use public transport, or were already doing so.

"Those respondents who were not willing to use public transport cited the lack of convenient options as the main reason." the survey reported, adding, "Safety for women is a concern in the region."