Alstonia Scholaris plant causing health hazards

Visakhapatnam: With the presence of large number of Alstonia Scholaris trees in the city, Vizagites are facing seasonal health disorders as the pollen of the trees is causing seasonal fevers, sinusitis, asthma and eye related infections.

Though ‘Alstonia Scholariis’ is having medicinal values in ayurveda medicine, its pollen is very allergic and creates a lot of problems to the people who are already suffering from cold and asthma.

In fact, Alstonia Scholaris is supposed to be grown in medicinal parks. However, due to the lack of knowledge and no proper direction from civic authorities, NGOs, industries, and commercial establishments and group of individuals planted 50,000 saplings in the city limits in 2014.

After the Hudhud super cyclone causing a massive devastation in the city, people realised the importance of planting trees in large numbers. The state government has given a call to all the industries, educational institutions, NGOs and government offices to take up massive plantation wherever possible.

In order to make the city with a thick green cover in less time, the organisers, investors and sponsors raised indent for fast growing plants, including ‘Peltophorum and ‘Alstonia Scholaris’ According to botanists, the wood of the fastest growing tree is very cheap and the pollen creates some health disorders.

The pollen from Peltophorum (Paccha Turai Mokka) causes the bronchitis among the children and ‘Alstonia Scholaris’ causes asthma, sinusitis, eye related issues and skin allergies also.

City CITU Secretary P Mani said, “The pollen of some trees including ‘Peltophorum’ and ‘Alstonia Scholaris’ cause health hazards. It is not correct to take up these saplings on a large scale particularly in public places like parks and for beautification purpose where the people in large numbers roam around.

It is also true that ‘Alstonia Scholaris’ trees are having medicinal values but those trees should not be planted in public places. With the fragrance and pollen of the trees, people are suffering from respiratory problems and eye infections. The authorities should not promote this type of plants in public areas.”

When contacted, a senior official of horticulture wing of GVMC told The Hans India here on Tuesday, “Yes, there are a large number of such plants in the city. But, the GVMC not taken up the plantation of such trees. The industries and commercial establishments, due to lack of awareness planted. The VUDA had also planted such saplings which have now grown up and started flowering.”

“It is unfortunate that VUDA and GVMC have taken up such trees plantation in thousands in the city ignoring the health of the citizens. Such type of trees must be planted in medicinal parks, not in public areas,” lamented S Latha, a researcher in the Department of Botany.

By VKL Gayatari