Newz Desk, Durgapur: The Bengal government will plant around 75,000 palmyra palm (taal) saplings across three districts to reduce lightning-related deaths, which claim nearly 500 lives annually in the state.
Forest department officials said the initiative is based on the understanding that tall palmyra palms act as natural lightning conductors, diverting strikes away from people and structures. The saplings will be planted before the next monsoon along 300km of roads in Bankura, Purulia and Purbo Bardhaman as part of a pilot project.
Chief conservator of forests (South West Circle) Bidyut Sarkar said that although palmyra palms take nearly 30 years to mature, the effort is aimed at long-term protection. “The tree, being a tall conductive object, can attract and ground lightning, reducing casualties,” he said.
The department has instructed its field offices to begin seed collection to meet the target. Priority will be given to planting the trees in schools, colleges, hospitals and lightning-prone agricultural zones, with saplings spaced four metres apart.
Officials noted that lightning incidents have risen in recent years due to climate change, rising temperatures, increased atmospheric moisture, urbanisation and practices like stubble burning and deforestation.
Experts added that palmyra palms—often growing up to 100 feet—serve as effective natural earthing systems because of their deep roots and high moisture content, helping channel electrical charges safely into the ground.
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