Current Affairs - State - Discussion

Odisha has initiated efforts to promote Palmyra palm trees (Borassus flabellifer) as a natural safeguard against lightning strikes, given its high vulnerability to lightning-related deaths according to IMD and NCRB data. The tree, commonly found in tropical regions of South and Southeast Asia, is known for its resilience and tall structure, which helps in dispersing lightning safely, thereby reducing the risk to human life. While the Palmyra palm holds cultural significance in Tamil Nadu as its State Tree, Odisha’s move to expand its plantation highlights a strategic environmental and safety measure to protect vulnerable communities from natural hazards.