Conocarpus Tree

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Overview:

Recently, the Gujarat state government banned Conocarpus tree plantation in forest or non-forest area, underlining its “adverse impacts on environment and human health”.

About Conocarpus Tree

  • It is a flowering plant belonging to the family of Combretaceae.
  • It is an invasive mangrove species.
  • Trees of this species flower in winter and spread pollen in nearby areas.
  • It has been used by various public authorities in India as landscaping for road medians, along roads, and in public gardens. 
  • Countries in the Arabian Peninsula have used the plant to block sand from desert storms and to control pollution.
  • This tree is famous for its dark green leaves color throughout the year and withstands harsh environmental conditions such as high and low temperatures.
  • It is very adaptive and could grow even in areas with extreme salinity.
  • It absorbs more water from soil than other species and is a threat to groundwater.
  • This species goes deep into the ground and grows too much to damage the communication cables, drainage lines and drinking water pipelines.
  • It is native to parts of North and South America, as well as parts of Africa.

 


Q1) What are Mangroves?

Mangroves are unique coastal ecosystems characterized by salt-tolerant trees, shrubs, and other vegetation that grow along the shorelines of tropical and subtropical regions. These ecosystems are found in intertidal zones, where the land is periodically submerged by seawater, and they play a crucial role in coastal ecology and protection.

Source: Gujarat turns over new leaf, bans invasive tree species: ‘Adverse impact’