Surat Municipal Corporation Launches ‘Mission Conocarpus’ 

Surat : The Surat Municipal Corporation (SMC) has embarked on a monumental endeavor called ‘Mission Conocarpus’ to tackle the rampant spread of Conocarpus trees across the city. This initiative comes in response to a government directive to cease the plantation of Conocarpus due to its detrimental effects on the environment and human health.

Over the past few years, SMC had actively planted thousands of Conocarpus trees, also known as Saptaparni. However, with recent orders banning the further cultivation of this species, the SMC has commenced the removal of these trees, particularly focusing on the diamond district of Varachha, where a majority of these trees have been planted.

The gravity of the situation became apparent after a comprehensive survey conducted by SMC’s Garden Department, revealing a staggering count of over 2 lakh Conocarpus trees entrenched in various parts of the city. Among these, a significant number—over 65,290 running meters of dividers—harbor more than 1.30 lakh trees, indicating an alarming density of two trees per running meter. Additionally, various other locations, such as the BRTS routes, host 37,617 topiary specimens and 13,430 larger Conocarpus trees.

The state government’s prohibition, imposed on September 26, 2023, stemmed from an in-depth study commissioned by the forest department, which highlighted the severe environmental and health hazards posed by the Conocarpus species. Experts have long contended that these trees significantly deplete water tables due to their high water consumption, hastening the process of evaporation, and posing threats to drainage systems with their invasive roots.

Moreover, these trees pollinate twice a year, contributing to respiratory health issues, including increased cases of cough, cold, asthma, and other related disorders. Despite its rapid growth, resilience to high temperatures, and minimal water requirements, the tree’s adverse impact on the environment and public health has been a cause for mounting concern.

Notably, Conocarpus was favored by governmental and private entities due to its quick growth, adaptability to varying conditions, and its capacity to thrive using drainage and sewage water, fulfilling green cover and carbon credit obligations.

SMC’s ‘Mission Conocarpus’ stands as a pivotal step towards rectifying the environmental challenges posed by these trees and underscores the importance of proactive measures to ensure a sustainable and healthy habitat for Surat’s residents. The campaign aims not only to uproot the existing Conocarpus trees but also to implement alternative, eco-friendly solutions to maintain the city’s green cover while safeguarding public health and the environment.