‘An environmental hazard’: Why Telangana Speaker asks govt to remove Conocarpus trees planted under Haritha Haram

Hyderabad: Telangana Speaker Gaddam Prasad Kumar has urged the government to remove Conocarpus trees as they pose a threat to the environment. The trees were planted under the Haritha Haram greening program. There were more than 200 crore trees planted in Haritha Haram program. There is no exact data of how many of them were conocarpus trees under this program. But the horticulture department stated that Greater Hyderabad Municipal Corporation and Hyderabad Urban Development Authority procured in highest numbers for plantation in urban areas.

The trees have also been planted along highways and in many areas across Telangana. Private nurseries used to propagate and supply the trees to the government for Haritha Haram project. However, they have now been stopped. Some districts have started removing these trees, but more need to be removed.

Last year, Andhra Pradesh Deputy Chief Minister K Pawan Kalyan ordered the felling of 4,600 of these trees in Kakinada. In fact, several state governments, which until a few years ago were gung-ho about planting Conocarpus trees as a Green Cover but have stopped the drive now.

In some states these trees are being removed and replaced with native species. Steps are being taken in order to educate nurseries and individuals. Research findings reveal that Conocarpus species have negative impacts on the environment and human health, besides they cause depletion of ground water.

Native trees are better

Various State Governments are now urging people to plant native species suitable to each state, like Neem, Casuarina, and Pongam, that may provide fruits for birds and are beneficial for the local ecosystem in many ways.

About Conocarpus

The Conocarpus plant is a mangrove species that grows very quickly. In recent years, the species has been chosen to increase the green cover of various states. Introduced in India as an ornamental and avenue tree. Conocarpus, native to Africa, has now turned into an environmental and health hazard. The Conocarpus species are already being removed in Gujarat, Telangana, Andhra Pradesh, Tamil Nadu, and Goa.

Conocarpus lancifolius, one of the two species within the Conocarpus genus, is an indigenous tree that thrives in coastal and riverine regions of Somalia, Djibouti, and Yemen. It is widely present across the Horn of Africa, the Arabian Peninsula, and South Asia.

Why were they planted?

They have been planted in many areas due to their fast growth and year-round green cover, explained a horticulturist from the government department of Telangana. The horticulturist on condition of anonymity explained, "Since 2021 the negative impacts of concocarpus were being talked about and there was also an indication that this species will soon be discontinued. But as the Haritha Haram program was a part of the government initiative, these trees were supplied in good number. The market for these trees was driven by the huge demand from the government not only in Telangana but also in other states. This led to its propagation and supply in the market."

Another horticulture expert explained, "Under the government program, GHMC and other municipal corporations insist on easy to grow trees. They want less maintenance species. Indian species are slow growing and need maintenance. Government is not keen to maintain and they look at easy solutions. For that reason, these imported species are being seen in the market."

What was the reason for its acceptance?

* Grows very fast and is easy to maintain

* Drought resistant

* Easy to trim, cut the branches and also ensure quicker growth

* Provides a good green cover which is acceptable to human eyes

Negative Impact

Another plant expert on condition of anonymity explained, "Due to the support of the government, the architects also used this species in their real estate projects. Private companies, builders and also commercial establishments demanded this plant as it was easy to grow and maintain. Aesthetic look is what mattered to the people but the real problem started when the tree would not allow other ancillary plants to grow in its shade. Below the Concoporus tree survival of small plants is not possible. The plant takes away all the nutrients and all the water from the soil making it difficult for others to survive around them."

Research findings reveal that Conocarpus species have negative impacts on the environment and human health. When the pollen grains of its flowers spread, humans may contract illnesses like the common cold, cough, asthma and allergies. Many cases of pollen allergies have been reported during its flowering season.

Cattle do not feed on its leaves and the honey bees and butterflies avoid them. This species can cause several allergies to humans. Hence, many states have already banned it.

Private market of the tree

The plant sapling is available for Rs 100 in the local nurseries who are selling them to private owners and farmhouses for its ornamental value. Most of the commercial nurseries have stopped propogation but still due to government induced demand there is a large stock available in the market.

Tamil Nadu

The Tamil Nadu government had issued orders to stop the planting of exotic Conocarpus plants in forest and non-forest areas, considering their adverse impacts, which were noted by the Principal Chief Conservator of Forest. The Department of Environment and Climate Change has permitted the district-level green committee to issue blanket permissions to the various departments concerned to replace Conocarpus plants with native species.

Earlier, Tamil Nadu has issued an advisory regarding raising, cultivating, and selling exotic Conocarpus species, and instructing to replace them with native species. The advisory comprises instructions to stop planting Conocarpus species in forests and government lands, human habitations, hotels, resorts, near medical and educational institutions, and to create awareness among the general public about the ill-effects of planting the species.

Gujarat

The government of Gujarat has done away with the plantation of Conocarpus trees both in the forest and non-forest regions. The reason for this is their adverse impacts on the environment and human health.

After massive plantation drives which made the tree widespread, the Gujarat Forest department has now issued a complete ban on Conocarpus, calling it a health and environmental hazard. Ecologists have welcomed the ban, citing reports of the tree’s pollen causing respiratory illnesses and its ill effects on native insects, birds, and animals.