Conocarpus Trees ( UPSC Prelims)

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News Context

A government-appointed panel has recently advised the Supreme Court to prohibit the Conocarpus tree, which has already been banned in Gujarat and Tamil Nadu.
 Conocarpus Trees Information:
      ○ There are two species of Conocarpus:
        ○ One species is native to the coastal areas of tropical America and parts of West Africa.
        ○ The other species is found in the arid coastal zones of Somalia, Yemen, and across eastern and Northern Africa and the Arabian Peninsula.
      ○ This ornamental plant offers a green canopy and is resistant to heat, salinity, air, and dust pollution, requiring minimal maintenance.
      ○ However, it is considered invasive (also referred to as a green desert), consumes excessive groundwater, and produces allergenic pollen.