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.
