CONOCARPUS
TREE - ENVIRONMENT
News: Gujarat bans Conocarpus plants
What's
in the news?
●
The Gujarat government has banned the
planting of ornamental Conocarpus trees “in forest or non-forest areas”, citing
their “adverse impacts on environment and human health”.
Conocarpus
Plant:
●
It is a fast-growing exotic mangrove species.
●
It has been a popular choice for
increasing the green cover in Gujarat in recent years.
●
Trees of this species flower in winter and
spread pollen in nearby areas. It is learnt that this is causing diseases like
cold, cough, asthma, allergy etc.
●
The
roots of this species go deep inside the soil and develop extensively, damaging
telecommunication lines, drainage lines and freshwater systems.
Previous
bans:
●
Telangana
had previously banned the same plant species due to concerns over its impact.
●
Conocarpus is not the sole exotic plant
species to fall out of favour.
●
In recent years, Delhi and Kerala have
grappled with the need to curb the growth of non-indigenous trees that were
adversely affecting local environments, flora, and fauna due to their prolific
presence.