Facts For Prelims:
Source: DTE
Context: Studies have shown that arid plant babool has many benefits.
| Babool | Name: babool or gum Arabic (Acacia nilotica)
About Babul It is a perennial, evergreen tree which is indigenous to Indian Sub-continent as well as in Tropical Africa, Burma, Sri Lanka, Saudi Arabia, Egypt and West and East Sudan. It occurs in tropical and subtropical regions of India. |
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| Nutritional Value of Seeds | Protein, fibre, fat, carbohydrates, Potassium, Phosphorus, Magnesium, Iron, Manganese | |
| Antibacterial Activity of Pods | Effective against gram-positive bacteria like Bacillus cereus and Staphylococcus aureus | |
| Natural Food Preservative | Pod extracts can replace synthetic food preservatives and inhibit microbial spoilage | |
| Environment-Friendly Pest Control | Babool seed oil can be an alternative to chemicals for controlling major farm pests | |
| Medicinal Properties | Young leaves improve digestion; Woody stems keep teeth clean and gums healthy; Bark treats burns, skin diseases, and infected wounds; The resin helps with various health issues | |
| Animal Feed | Leaves and pods are used as feed for animals, providing comparable nutrition to cottonseed meal | |
| Nitrogen-Fixing and Reclamation | Babool helps in the reclamation of degraded areas by fixing nitrogen and acting as a windbreak | |
| Biodiversity and Climate Resilience | Planting babool trees benefits biodiversity and helps combat desertification | |
Tags: GS3, Environment, Species, babool
