Bhubaneswar: To reduce the damage and fatalities caused by lightning strikes, the Odisha government has announced a mission to plant at least 20 lakh palm trees across the state. The initiative is a joint effort by the Odisha Forest and Agriculture departments, aiming to mitigate the impact of lightning, which has become a growing concern in the region.
Recent surveys have suggested that the decline in palm trees may be contributing to the rise in lightning strikes in Odisha. Addressing the media, Revenue and Disaster Management Minister Suresh Pujari highlighted the urgency of the situation.
“Lightning-related deaths are increasing day by day, and Odisha has one of the highest death rates due to lightning strikes in India. According to reports, at least 300 lives have been lost in Odisha due to lightning,” Minister Pujari stated.
The mission to plant around 20 lakh palm trees is already underway, with the state government taking swift action to address this critical issue. “Palm trees act as good conductors, and by planting them, we aim to reduce the number of lightning-related casualties. The forest department is leading this effort, and we are determined to achieve our goal,” the Minister added.
The Odisha government is particularly focused on areas that are more vulnerable to lightning strikes, including schools where improper earthing has led to tragic losses. “Our primary focus is on vulnerable areas with higher incidences of lightning as we target to plant around 20 lakh palm trees this year. The ultimate goal is to achieve zero casualties due to lightning strikes in Odisha,” Pujari emphasized.