Bhubaneswar: Cutting of palm trees will need the permission of the Forest department, Principal Conservator of Forests (PCCF) Debidutta Biswal stated here Monday. Biswal stated that palm trees can be very useful in preventing lightning-related deaths and injuries. Hence they should be preserved all over the state, he added.
“To cut palm trees also, people will need to seek prior permission from the Forest department. Those who violate the rule will face stringent action,” Biswal stated. “Palm trees can reduce lightning-related deaths,” he added. Biswal stated that the department is planning to plant 19 lakh palm trees this year alone. “A total of 19 lakh palm trees will be planted around all the forest blocks in the state as they are good natural conductors,” Biswal informed. “The entire project will cost around rupees seven crore,” he added. “Because of their height, palm trees can prevent lightning strikes. We will be working in association with the Agriculture Department to plant palm trees and we will complete the project as soon as possible,” Biswal informed. In the last five years, lightning claimed a total of 1,472 lives in Odisha while more than 1,000 were injured as per a report tabled in February during the tenure of the previous government.