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Odisha’s Initiative to Plant Palm Trees to Combat Lightning Strikes
Why in the News?
- Odisha has recently approved a plan to plant 19 lakh palm trees to combat lightning strikes, which were designated as a state-specific disaster in 2015.
Why are Lightning Strikes of Particular Concern in Odisha?
- Lightning Nature: Rapid, massive discharge of electricity in the atmosphere directed towards earth.
- Geographic Location: Odisha, an eastern coastal state in the tropical zone, has a hot, dry climate ideal for lightning.
- High Strike Frequency: Eastern and central India, including Odisha, have the highest cloud-to-lightning strikes (Annual Lightning Report 2023-2024, CROPC and IMD).
- Climate Change Impact: Climate change exacerbates lightning strikes, with a 10% increase in activity per one degree Celsius of long-term warming (IMD 2021 research).
Impact of Lightning Strike:
- In the last 11 years, lightning strikes have caused 3,790 deaths in Odisha, significantly increasing fatalities in recent years.
- High Fatality Rates: Odisha recorded 61,000 lightning strikes in a two-hour period on September 2, 2023, resulting in at least 12 deaths.
- Increased Frequency: Lightning strikes have increased due to climate change, with a nearly 10% rise in lightning activity for every degree Celsius of warming.
About Palm Trees:
- Family and Classification: Member of the Arecaceae family, monocotyledonous flowering plants, order Arecales.
- Forms: Can grow as shrubs, trees, or lianas (woody vines).
- Distribution: Predominantly in America, Asia (India to Japan), Australia, Pacific and Indian Oceans; less common in Africa and Madagascar.
Characteristics:
- Typically have a tall, contains high moisture and sap, unbranched stem; apex bears a rosette of coriaceous leaves.
- Palmate Leaves: Grow like hands in a bunch at the stem’s end.
- Pinnate Leaves: Grow like feathers along the stem.
- Endangered Species: About 100 species are endangered due to deforestation and unsustainable practices.
How Palm Trees Prevent Against Lightning Strikes?
- Lightning Conductor: Palm trees can absorb lightning due to their height and high moisture content, helping to reduce the impact on the ground.
- Structure: The tall structure of palm trees allows lightning to travel through them and reach the ground safely.
- Comparative Measures: Other regions, such as Bangladesh, have also implemented palm tree planting programs to reduce lightning fatalities.
- Alternative Measures: Lightning arresters and early warning systems are also being used to reduce lightning-related deaths and damage.