SC-mandated central panel seeks national ban on Conocarpus tree

PTI

New

The Supreme Court-mandated Central Empowered Committee (CEC) has sought a ban on Conocarpus, a fast-growing  exotic species planted widely in India for quick greening of roads and urban spaces, saying it poses grave ecological and public health risks.

In a 40-page report submitted to the apex court, the CEC described the tree as “ecologically unsuitable” and said its unchecked spread threatens biodiversity, groundwater, infrastructure
and human health.

“The Conocarpus plant, although tempting for roadside plantation and quick creation of green belts, has serious negative interactions in terms of health risks and environmental degradation, which makes it quite unsuitable from an ecological point of view,” it said.

The committee said the tree is often referred to as a “green desert” because it provides almost no nectar or shelter for birds, bees or other insects. Its dense canopy and chemical-laden leaf litter suppress native plant growth, damaging natural regeneration, the CEC said.

“Due to its prolific nature and varied adaptability to different climatic conditions, it poses a threat to native ecosystems. This will become yet another invasive species,” the
report cautioned.

Imported from the Americas and Africa, Conocarpus erectus and Conocarpus lancifolius were introduced in India over the past two decades as drought-tolerant and low-maintenance trees that could withstand pollution, salinity and poor soils. Their rapid growth and evergreen foliage made them popular in Gujarat, Telangana, Maharashtra, Andhra Pradesh and Tamil Nadu. But the CEC found that these very traits have turned the tree into
a silent threat.

The committee said its roots are aggressive and penetrate deep into aquifers, depleting shallow groundwater in arid regions like Kachchh. In cities like Ahmedabad and Hyderabad, root intrusion from Conocarpus plantations has caused frequent damage to footpaths, underground pipelines and building foundations, the report said.

The CEC said pollen from the tree aggravates asthma, rhinitis and respiratory allergies, especially in children and the elderly.

Tamil Nadu reported “many cases of pollen allergies during the flowering season”, prompting the state to impose a ban earlier this year. The report also flagged fire hazards, saying the tree produces dry, brittle wood that is “highly flammable during summer months, increasing the risk of accidental fires
in public spaces”.