Source: DTE
Context: Odisha plans to plant 1.9 million palm trees and restrict cutting to reduce lightning deaths, targeting areas heavily affected during pre-monsoon and monsoon seasons.
Palm trees are part of tropical forest ecosystems and include varieties like Coconut, Oil Palm, Arecanut, and Palmyrah. Palmyrah is the State Tree of Tamil Nadu. They act as natural conductors during lightning strikes, preventing loss of lives.
What is Lightning?
It is a powerful electrical phenomenon caused by the buildup of electrical charges within clouds and between clouds and the ground. It results in a brilliant flash of light and thunder.
India is among a few countries with an early warning system for lightning, providing forecasts up to five days in advance. Lightning accounted for 2,880 deaths in 2021, making up 40% of all accidental deaths due to natural forces, as reported by the National Crime Records Bureau (NCRB). Lightning frequency is highest in northeastern states and West Bengal, Sikkim, Jharkhand, Odisha, and Bihar.
