The National Green Tribunal (NGT) has taken suo motu cognisance of a newspaper report linking large-scale felling of palm trees in Bihar to a sharp rise in lightning-related deaths, and has issued notices to the Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB), Bihar State authorities, and other concerned agencies.
A bench comprising Justice Arun Kumar Tyagi (Judicial Member) and A. Senthil Vel (Expert Member) passed the order on June 5, observing that the continued ecological degradation due to indiscriminate cutting of palm trees may be contributing to increased lightning fatalities in the state. The report cited by the tribunal claims that over 2,000 people have died in lightning strikes in Bihar since 2016.
According to the NGT, the article highlights how the felling of tall palm trees — previously widespread in rural Bihar — has reduced natural protection against lightning. It noted that many of these trees were cut down after the enforcement of the state’s liquor prohibition policy, which led to a ban on toddy tapping, thereby diminishing the economic value of the trees.
“The article states that the number of lightning deaths began to rise following the rampant felling of palm trees. The worst-affected districts include Aurangabad, Patna, Nalanda, Kaimur, Rohtas, Bhojpur and Buxar. Most lightning-related deaths occur between 12.30 and 4.30 p.m., when many people are outside for work,” the tribunal noted.
The NGT also observed that the area under palm tree cultivation in Bihar has declined by nearly 40%, and new plantations have virtually ceased. It remarked that this situation may attract provisions of the Environment (Protection) Act, warranting regulatory intervention.
In light of these concerns, the tribunal has impleaded the CPCB, Bihar State Pollution Control Board, the regional office of the Union Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change, and the Bihar Disaster Management Department as respondents in the matter. All parties have been directed to file their responses before the next hearing, scheduled for August 7 before the NGT’s Eastern Zonal Bench in Kolkata.
