Palm seeds plant begins in Bagerhat

Palm trees can stem surge in deaths from lightning

Bagerhat: Hundreds of people die every year from lightning strikes in Bangladesh. Experts blame deforestation and the loss of taller trees like palms as those used to act as lightning conductors, reports UNB.

In 2016, the country declared lightning as a natural disaster when the official toll topped 200 deaths, with 82 people dying on a single day in May.

The dwindling number of palm trees in the countryside may have led to the increase in number of deaths due to lightning strikes, experts said.

As part of the government’s reforestation campaign, launched in 2016, a good number of palm seeds were planted on both sides of road adjacent to Dartana River at Boitpur village in Sadar upazila on Wednesday.

Md Sydul Islam, Divisional Forest Officer (DFO) at Bagerhat Social Forest Division, inaugurated and addressed the campaign as chief guest. Anjali Rani Biswas, deputy assistant agriculture officer of Bagerhat Sadar upazila also spoke at the programme.

After that all of the attendees joined the members of Shuva Sanga of the daily Kaler Kantha, in the palm seeds plantation.

Dr Mahmud Hossain, professor of Forestry and Wood Technology Discipline at Khulna University, said the high death toll stems in part from a lack of trees whose branches can absorb the impact of lightning. While the trees are damaged, it means the electric charge is safely passed into the earth.

Where palm trees exist, the number of deaths due to lightning strikes is lower than the palm tree less areas.

Habibul Haque Khan, director of Khulna Division’s Department of Environment, said palm trees act as natural lightning conductors during storms because of their height. It helps to address risks caused by climate change.

Md Amir Hossian Chowdhury, conservator of forests (Khulna circle), said, “Palm tree acts as shield to cope with storms and tidal surges. We know lightning usually hits the tallest object first. And for this, the palm tree, which is tallest tree, works as lightning conductor, decreasing the death toll from the lightning strikes.”

As part of reforestation project, a good number of palm trees have been planted in Noakhali, Bhola, Patuakhali, Chittagong, Cox’s Bazar, Laxmipur, Barguna and Jhalakathi districts since 2015, Amir Hossian added.

Md Saidul Islam, DFO of Social Forest Division in Bagerhat, said palm trees not only prevent lightning strikes but also protect coastal areas from storms and cyclones.Their roots also protect flood-protection embankments against soil erosion.

 

 

Palm seeds plant begins in Bagerhat

Palm trees can stem surge in deaths from lightning

Bagerhat: Hundreds of people die every year from lightning strikes in Bangladesh. Experts blame deforestation and the loss of taller trees like palms as those used to act as lightning conductors, reports UNB. In 2016, the country declared lightning as a natural disaster when the official toll topped 200 deaths, with 82 people dying on a single day in May. The dwindling number of palm trees in the countryside may have led to the increase in number of deaths due to lightning strikes, experts said. As part of the governments reforestation campaign, launched in 2016, a good number of palm seeds were planted on both sides of road adjacent to Dartana River at Boitpur village in Sadar upazila on Wednesday. Md Sydul Islam, Divisional Forest Officer (DFO) at Bagerhat Social Forest Division, inaugurated and addressed the campaign as chief guest. Anjali Rani Biswas, deputy assistant agriculture officer of Bagerhat Sadar upazila also spoke at the programme. After that all of the attendees joined the members of Shuva Sanga of the daily Kaler Kantha, in the palm seeds plantation. Dr Mahmud Hossain, professor of Forestry and Wood Technology Discipline at Khulna University, said the high death toll stems in part from a lack of trees whose branches can absorb the impact of lightning. While the trees are damaged, it means the electric charge is safely passed into the earth. Where palm trees exist, the number of deaths due to lightning strikes is lower than the palm tree less areas. Habibul Haque Khan, director of Khulna Divisions Department of Environment, said palm trees act as natural lightning conductors during storms because of their height. It helps to address risks caused by climate change. Md Amir Hossian Chowdhury, conservator of forests (Khulna circle), said, Palm tree acts as shield to cope with storms and tidal surges. We know lightning usually hits the tallest object first. And for this, the palm tree, which is tallest tree, works as lightning conductor, decreasing the death toll from the lightning strikes. As part of reforestation project, a good number of palm trees have been planted in Noakhali, Bhola, Patuakhali, Chittagong, Coxs Bazar, Laxmipur, Barguna and Jhalakathi districts since 2015, Amir Hossian added. Md Saidul Islam, DFO of Social Forest Division in Bagerhat, said palm trees not only prevent lightning strikes but also protect coastal areas from storms and cyclones.Their roots also protect flood-protection embankments against soil erosion.