Uttarakhand's Buransh flowers bloom early, why it is a concern

Climate change is a major issue and the world is grappling with the effects of it. Uttarakhand is also witnessing climate change's effects and this time, the hills are seeing it in the form of a flower. This time, Buransh, Uttarakhand's state tree has blossomed earlier than expected. This has raised concerns among scientists and environmentalists.

The tree is known for its deep red flowers that add another layer of beauty to the hills as it bursts out from the woody bushes of the tree. The scientific name of Buransh is Rhododendron.

Normally, these flowers blossom during March and April. However, this year, the pattern has changed as it bloomed a little earlier. According to scientists at ICAR-Central Soil Salinity Research Institute, this is pseudo-flowering or forced flowering due to climatic shifts.

Dr Pankaj Nautiyal, Senior Scientist and Head at Krishi Vigyan Kendra (ICAR-CSSRI) told IndiaToday.com, "There is a climatic shift, what you call climate change, happening as is visible this winter in the form of a very long dry spell and high day temperature through January. The temperature rise has been very high, up to 4 to 5 degrees during the day this year. As a result, January saw the March weather conditions, hence inducing early flowering of Buransh."

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