SC panel seeks ban on Conocarpus trees

The Supreme Court’s Central Empowered Committee (CEC) has now in a report sought a ban on the Conocarpus trees to avoid environmental degradation and adverse impact on health.

It has asked the apex court to direct the Union Environment Ministry to restrict the promotion and sale of this tree and other exotic invasive species by nurseries, and promote planting of native species.

In its report, the panel stated that conocarpus trees’ unchecked proliferation poses serious concerns, including adverse impacts on native biodiversity, alteration of local ecosystems, excessive groundwater consumption and potential risks to public health.

According to the report, “Conocarpus has been introduced primarily for ornamental and avenue plantation purposes. Their rapid growth, high drought tolerance and resistance to urban stressors like air pollution and poor soil conditions have contributed to their popularity in several Indian states, especially in urban landscapes, road medians and semi-arid zones.”

“However, their non-native status and increasing reports of ecological disruption have raised concerns, prompting calls for a critical re-evaluation of their widespread use in public and private green initiatives,” the report said.

Highlighting the impact of trees on health, the report said that during the flowering season, the tree releases pollen, which may aggravate respiratory conditions such as asthma, rhinitis, and other allergic reactions, particularly in children and the elderly.

“Urban local bodies have flagged its presence as a potential public health risk. Strong, invasive roots often damage footpaths, underground pipelines and foundation of buildings. Despite being drought-tolerant, Conocarpus has a deep and aggressive root system that extracts significant amounts of groundwater,” the SC committee report said.

The committee in a report to the apex court has said that there was no specific legal framework in India that exclusively deals with invasive species.

“This lack of a dedicated legal framework is a significant gap that hinders effective management and control of invasive alien species. There is no nationally coordinated mechanism for monitoring and regulation of invasive alien species, whether plant, animal, microbial or fungal!” the report said.

Neem, Karanj, Siris and Kachnar have been suggested as alternatives species. “We are already encouraging the use of native species. Even in the project to expand greenery in the Aravallis, we are planting native species,” an official from the Environment Ministry said.