PALM TREE PLANTING TO COMBAT LIGHTNING DEATHS

TAG: GS 3: DISASTER MANAGEMENT

THE CONTEXT: Odisha has been severely affected by lightning strikes, especially during the pre-monsoon and monsoon periods.

EXPLANATION:

  • To mitigate the fatalities caused by lightning, the state government has initiated a comprehensive plan to plant around 1.9 million palm trees and has imposed strict restrictions on cutting existing palm trees.

Plantation and Restrictions

  • Tree Planting Initiative:
    • The state plans to plant approximately 1.9 million palm trees during the 2024-25 period.
    • This effort is part of a broader strategy to use palm trees as natural conductors to prevent lightning-related casualties.
    • The initiative will involve planting four palm trees near the boundary of each forest block.
  • Restrictions on Cutting Palm Trees:
    • The government has reintroduced restrictions on the cutting of palm trees, a policy initially imposed under the Odisha Timber and Other Forest Produce Transit Rule.
    • Permission must now be obtained from the forest department to cut palm trees on private land.
    • Violators of this order will face strict action, as emphasized by Odisha’s Principal Chief Conservator of Forests, Debidutta Biswal.

Strategic Importance and Financial Allocation

  • Budget Allocation:
    • The state has allocated around Rs 7 crore for this palm tree planting initiative.
    • This investment is aimed at reducing lightning strike fatalities, which have significantly impacted the rural population of Odisha.
  • Policy Background:
    • The decision to protect and plant palm trees was reinforced in September 2023 following recommendations from various departmental meetings, including inputs from the Special Relief Commissioner (SRC).
    • The SRC had called for large-scale palm tree plantations in reserve forests and other vulnerable districts.

Historical Context and Statistics

  • Over the past five years, from 2018-19 to 2022-23, Odisha has reported 2,058 deaths due to lightning strikes.
  • On average, 300 people die annually in the state due to lightning.
  • The state government reported a total of 16,372 deaths from various natural calamities during this period.
  • Nationwide, lightning strikes claim nearly 2,500 lives annually in India.
  • Most lightning strike victims in rural areas are farmers, cattle herders, fishers, forest dwellers, and outdoor laborers.

Scientific and Expert Opinions

  • Palm trees are believed to act as natural conductors, potentially reducing lightning fatalities.
  • However, experts question the scientific validity of this approach pointing that it takes about 20 years for palm trees to mature and effectively observe lightning.
  • Similar initiatives in Bangladesh have not significantly reduced lightning fatalities.
  • Some experts support the idea that tall trees can absorb lightning.
  • They advocate for the protection of all tall trees, not just palms, to minimize lightning-related deaths. Trees like oaks, maples, poplars, ash, pine, and tulip are commonly struck by lightning and could be protected to enhance safety.

Government and Community Reactions

  • Community Support:
    • The initiative has received positive feedback from the community.
    • Retired forest officer expressed approval of the government’s move to protect existing palm trees in rural areas.
  • State-Specific Disaster:
    • In recognition of the severity of lightning strikes, Odisha declared lightning a state-specific disaster in 2015.
    • The state provides an ex-gratia payment of Rs 4 lakh to the families of deceased victims of lightning strikes.

Palm Tree

  • Palm tree is a common name of perennial lianas, shrubs, and trees. They are the only members of the family Arecaceae, which is the only family in the order Arecales.
  • They grow in hot climates.
  • Well known palm trees are:
    • Coconut palm
    • Date palm
    • Oil palm
  • There are about 2600 species of palm trees.
  • Most palm trees grow in the tropical and subtropical regions of the world.
  • They occur from about 44° northern latitude to about 44° southern latitude.
  • The dwarf palm (Chamaerops humilis) occurs in southern France, the Nikau (Rhopalostylis sapida) is a species of palm growing in New Zealand.
  • The hardiest palm in the world is known as the needle palm (Rhapidophyllum Hystrix) and is able to handle temperatures below -18 °C (0 °F).
  • Palms are one of the best known and most widely planted tree families.
  • They have held an important role for humans throughout much of history. Many common products and foods come from palms.
  • They are often used in parks and gardens that are in areas that do not have heavy frosts.

SOURCE: https://www.downtoearth.org.in/governance/odisha-resorts-to-palm-tree-planting-to-combat-lightning-deaths-this-year

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