Lightning-proof palm trees decreasing, risk of lightning strikes increasing in Pabna
Mamun Hossain, Pabna
A palm tree stands on one leg, surpassing all the trees, and peeks into the sky. Once upon a time, the nature of rural Bengal was like this famous poem written by poet Rabindranath Tagore. Vast paddy fields covered in dense greenery, a muddy path in the middle, and palm trees standing tall on both sides. This is like a reflection of rural Bengal.
However, due to various reasons including lack of awareness, unplanned infrastructure development, climate change and indiscriminate tree cutting, such beautiful and natural scenes of rural life are now on the verge of disappearing.
Bangladesh is a country of natural disasters. Due to its geographical location and climate change, storms, rains, droughts, cyclones, and tidal waves are daily companions of this country.
In 2016, the Ministry of Disaster Management and Relief declared lightning as a natural disaster.
Every year, countless people die in the country due to lightning strikes. Pabna is not far behind. According to the information provided by Pabna Additional Superintendent of Police (DSB) Md. Rezinur Rahman, a total of 13 people lost their lives due to lightning strikes in Pabna from 2020 to 2024. Farmers in the fields and ordinary people on the road lost the most lives due to this.
Environmentalists believe that if various effective measures are not taken, including raising awareness about lightning prevention, a more dire situation will arise. Environmentalists say that palm trees are one of the trees that play a role in preventing lightning in the floodplains, which is very beneficial for the environment and people. It not only helps in maintaining the balance of the environment, but also helps in preventing lightning. In addition, various foods and useful products made from the fruits, juice and leaves of palm trees play an important role in people's daily lives.
Moreover, they say that it plays an important role in protecting soil erosion, landslides and soil fertility. Environmentalists believe that the importance of raising awareness about its benefits and preserving this tree in the environment is immense.
It is learnt that there are several rivers, lakes and water bodies in the 9 upazilas of the district. Among them are Chalanbil in Chatmohar, Dikshir Bil, Khalishagari Bil, Chiril Bil, Kuril Bil, Inchakhali Bil, Ruhul Bil in Bhangura, Gajnar Bil in Sujanagar and numerous rivers and streams.
On-site visits to different areas of the upazila revealed that even 14-15 years ago, palm trees could be seen in rows on the village roads, ghats, pond banks and fields. Babui birds would start building their nests before the arrival of the month of Ashadh. The surroundings would be filled with their chirping. However, these beautiful scenes are no longer visible. Locals said that even though the government emphasizes on planting palm trees, a section of people are cutting these trees down. For various reasons, they are cutting down palm trees on the roadside and in private ownership and selling them to various sawmills. Due to this, people, animals and biodiversity are not protected from storms, rain and lightning.
Experts say that palm trees help prevent lightning strikes because their carbon levels are high. The bark of palm trees has a thick carbon layer. And the height and structure of this tree also help prevent lightning strikes. Along with palm trees, tall trees like coconut and betel nut trees are also quite effective in preventing lightning strikes. Lightning strikes are a threat not only to Bangladesh but to the whole world. Therefore, the initiative to plant coconut and betel nut trees along with palm trees must be turned into a social movement.
Meteorologists say,ghtning is a sudden natural disaster, which is very difficult to prevent. Meteorologists say that there is no certainty about when and where lightning will strike. They say that there is a risk of lightning in all 64 districts of disaster-prone Bangladesh. They also say that many countries in the world are using various lightning arresters to suit their weather conditions. If such devices are used in our country, it will greatly reduce the loss of life and property damage due to lightning.
The Country Today correspondent talked to Tofazzal Hossain, a resident of the Handial area, where the Chalanbils live. He said that 20-25 years ago, palm trees were very popular in these areas. Since this area is inhabited by Chalanbils, the people of the area used to use palm tree dinghies during the rainy season. He said that currently people are cutting palm trees, but not planting them. Therefore, the number of palm trees in this area is decreasing day by day, he said.
When talking to Rafiqul Islam Roni, director of Handial Muniyadighi Technical Agricultural College in Chatmohar Upazila, he said that palm trees have been intertwined with the history, tradition and culture of Bengal for a long time. He said that once in these regions, palm leaf thatched houses, hand fans, palm leaf mats, mats, writing books, dolls and many other items were made. In addition, houses, boats, and houseboats made of palm fronds were also made. However, these are now disappearing from rural areas due to the passage of time. He said that both palm fruit and seeds are delicious food for Bengalis. At one time, palm juice was collected from palm trees and food items such as jaggery, patali, sweets etc. were made. He said that besides this, palm is very beneficial for the human body as it contains many minerals including vitamins A, B and C, zinc, potassium, iron and calcium.
Several farmers named Babu, Chanowar, Rahman, Anwar from Chatmohar and Bhangura upazilas said that since these trees are very strong, they do not break in storms or floods. And the trees do not take up much space, so the land is not wasted. In addition, these trees do not require any fertilizer or medicine. And they do not require any care. They said that the trees start bearing fruit a few years after planting.
Sohag Ali, a resident of Pabna Sadar Launchghat area, said, "Once upon a time, the nests of baboons, tiyas, bats, vultures, and eagles could be seen in the palm trees in our area. Now, due to the decline in palm trees, these birds are no longer seen."
When I met with tree lover Kamal Hossain, a resident of Kuchiamara area of Ataikula Union, Pabna Sadar, he said that due to climate change, palm trees are disappearing from various parts of the country. He said, however, this tree acts as a pillar to prevent lightning strikes. He also said, due to the decrease in palm trees in the fields and ghats of our country.
It is seen that a farmer is dying in a lightning strike while bringing paddy from the field. But if there were palm trees there, the lightning would have hit him. He said, from that thought, I started producing palm seedlings in my nursery. And on behalf of the Deputy Commissioner, I have gone to a total of 10 districts of the country, including districts at risk of lightning strikes, such as Pabna, Thakurgaon, Kushtia, Chuadanga, Chittagong, and provided training on this subject and so far planted 1.5 million palm seedlings.
In this regard, Professor of Geography and Environment Department of Pabna University of Science and Technology Dr. Nazmul Islam said that to meet the demand for eco-friendly and natural disaster-resistant palm trees, local improved varieties of seedlings should be produced in government nurseries.
He said that palm trees have been playing a role in the rural economy since ancient times. He said that many people still earn a living by selling various products made from palm trees. He also said that a type of thread like rayon is also available from the fibers of ripe palm trees, which can be used to make clothes. He said that to sustain palm trees in the environment, palm tree seedlings should be planted by government and private initiatives. And palm trees should be planted on roadsides, vacant spaces, beels, haors and crop fields, around schools, colleges and other educational institutions. In addition, the public should be made aware of the importance of palm trees.
The local people should be encouraged to plant and preserve palm trees. And the benefits of palm trees should be informed using various media. And the cutting of palm trees should be discouraged. He believes that by taking this step, an important role can be played in protecting palm trees and maintaining the balance of the environment.
