Uttarakhand

• 29 Feb 2024

Early Bloom of Uttarakhand's State Tree Points to Climate Crisis

Why in News?

Buransh, Uttarakhand's state tree, has blossomed earlier than expected, raising concerns among scientists and environmentalists.

Key Points

• The tree, scientifically known as Rhododendron, is known for its vibrant display of red flowers that dominate Uttarakhand hills as it bursts out from the woody bushes of the tree.
• According to scientists at ICAR-Central Soil Salinity Research Institute, this is pseudo-flowering or forced flowering due to climatic shifts.
  • Normally, these flowers are seen to blossom during March and April across the mid-altitude terrain.
• The untimely blossoming has raised concerns regarding potential reductions in the medicinal potency of the flower.
  • Renowned for its abundance of potassium, calcium, iron, and vitamin C, this flower is also ingested as an appetizer to alleviate mountain sickness and seasonal ailments.
  • It is recognised for its effectiveness in mitigating excessive bleeding during menstruation in women.
  • The flower possesses medicinal properties beneficial for the heart, liver, skin allergies, and antiviral purposes.
• According to the Meteorologists global warming is changing the usual weather patterns, causing unusual temperatures and less rain.
• The usual winter disturbances that bring cold weather here have been weak, happening less often and not as strong.
  • Due to this, there was not enough rain in December and January in the hilly areas. Both the highest and lowest temperatures were higher than usual.
  • As the world warms, scientists are concerned that more such changes in the flora and fauna are expected.

The Central Soil Salinity Research Institute (CSSRI)

• It is an autonomous institute of higher learning, established under the umbrella of Indian Council of Agricultural Research (ICAR) by the Ministry of Agriculture, for advanced research in the field of soil sciences.
• The institute is located in Karnal, Haryana. It was established in 1969.