Many environmentalists, including myself, were campaigning against the conocarpus tree, requesting people to stop giving more importance to conocarpus! But people did not understand. Nurseries, on the other hand, were increasingly encouraging people that Conocarpus is a wonderful tree that grows very quickly, gives an all-over greenery look, and doesn't require much maintenance and water. That is true. Conocarpus does not require heavy maintenance compared to native species of trees like Mango, Ambali, Peepal, Banyan, Jambu or Drumstick trees, even if you plant them properly, you have to take care of them for three and a half years. Then those trees will settle in the ground, and they will start getting fruits or harvest. When conocarpus is sown, greenery appears in six months.
But here that is a separate topic of discussion that what kind of greenery do we need? good greenery? Or bad greenery? Because there are many ways to show greenery. But we don't need greenery that will not contribute to our biodiversity, or that will not provide us with oxygen or greenery that may cause allergies to humans. We need greenery that can absorb maximum carbon from the air, and we need greenery that can release as much oxygen as possible. We need greenery that provides habitats to birds, animals, reptiles, or insects. They can live very comfortably in the greenery, and we need our biodiversity to thrive and get enriched because of the greenery.
Most species of conocarpus or non-native species are what give us bad greenery. Those trees are only showpieces for us, just like we keep fake flowers or plastic plants at home! Also in the case of Conocarpus plantation, it gained craze just like a select music or reel on Instagram gets viral or trending. People got so hooked on Conocarpus that a large population planted Conocarpus in their fields, in their farm houses, in their societies, or as boundary walls on roadsides. Because of which majorly only conocarpus started appearing in urban and rural areas.
Systematic research has not yet been done on Conocarpus, but from the conclusions that experts have drawn, it can be said that this exotic tree would have proved to be a devil tree for us. Some research is saying that Conocarpus is causing effects on ground water. Some research is also suggesting that Conocarpus does not allow the native species of trees to grow around them as it gets all the nutrients from the soil itself! Also, one thing I have observed is that the butterflies never fly around the conocarpus plantations. Even birds never build their nests or animals like cows and goats they dont even consume the leaves of conocarpus. That means our biodiversity said no to Conocarpus even before we did! Even Its root system is such that it is highly damaging for road and pavement surfaces, underground service pipes, and house and wall foundations.
But we went on planting conocarpus on a war footing, due to which we planted more than twenty percent of the land with conocarpus in just five years. This means that we have encroached Conocarpus into the space of fruit bearing as well as the oxygenating native trees. Firstly, we have a very low per head tree count, and on the other hand, we are accepting rapid urbanization. Due to which we have less green cover and farming land. So if we do not plant trees of native species in the little space the we have left, what will happen to our health? That's right, trees of native species are directly connected to fighting pollution and temperature control. Research shows that trees of native species absorb the most toxins from the air in any given area. Also, where trees of native species are abundant, the temperature is two degrees lower than normal.
So it means that just as we spoil our health by eating junk food, we also spoil our health by planting junk trees. Also, the far-reaching effects caused by such non-native trees and the serious effects it has on the climate are a separate topic of discussion. However, I am glad that the Gujarat government, which has always been concerned about climate, has taken an important step for Conocarpus and has banned the sale and cultivation of Conocarpus. I expect other state governments to follow this step of Gujarat government. If that happens, there will be no trace of Conocarpus across the country in years to come, and it will directly benefit our biodiversity as well as our health.
By Viral Desai
(The author is a known Environmentalist and the pioneer of Satyagraha Against Pollution movement, viraludayindia@gmail.com )
(The content of this article reflects the views of writers and contributors, not necessarily those of the publisher and editor. All disputes are subject to the exclusive jurisdiction of competent courts and forums in Delhi/New Delhi only)
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