Bhubaneswar: Mayurbhanj and Balasore districts in northern Odisha together accounted for 134 (17%) out of 791 deaths due to lightning in the state in the past three years, forest minister Ganesh Ram Singkhuntia informed the assembly on Tuesday .
Replying to a question by Kantabanji MLA Laxman Bag, the minister said fatalities due to lightning in central Odisha districts — Boudh and Kandhamal — is marginal, seven and five in the past three years, respectively.Singkhuntia told the assembly that 19 lakh palm seeds will be distributed to different forest divisions to ensure the trees provide a protective layer against lightning. “In 2024-25 financial year, a massive number of palm seeds will be sown. We have received funds from the special relief commissioner. This year, palm plantation will be carried out around forest areas and there has been a plan to involve community members,” the minister said in his reply.

Recently, the govt put a curb on felling of palm trees. It re-introduced restrictions on felling of palm trees in view of frequent cases of fatalities due to lightning strikes. The govt had put restrictions on cutting palm trees earlier, which was relaxed some years ago.
In Sept last year, 12 people were killed by lightning strikes across the state on a single day. In 2021-22, as many 282 people were killed by lightning, while 3,790 people were killed in the last 11 years.
Environmentalists said rampant felling of palm trees in Keonjhar and Angul districts had many adverse effects. They said elephants eat the fruits and don’t stray into human habitation.
Singkhuntia also informed the assembly that the highest of 42 migrants from Ganjam district have died followed by 21 from Balangir in the last five years. In response to a question by Champua MLA Sanatan Mahakud, who wanted to know how many migrants died in other states and countries, the minister said as many as 197 migrant labourers died while working in other states while 31 died in other countries.
Sambalpur, Deogarh and Dhenkanal districts have reported no migrant deaths in the past three years. Balangir and Ganjam are two districts known for seasonal migration. While Balangir has around 2 lakh migrants, who make up the workforce in brick kilns, those from Ganjam mostly migrate to Gujarat, Maharashtra, Kerala and Karnataka.

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