Neem- the great healer battling for life

TOPIC: Environment

Context- Scientists hope its medicinal properties can ﬁght the ‘dieback disease’.

Concept-

Dieback Disease:

Observed in the Gadwal region of Telangana a few months ago, the ‘dieback disease’ in neem tree.
It is a fungal infection which spread rapidly, infecting thousands of neem trees across the State.
The disease changes the leaf colour to pale green or yellow, scorches the leaf margins and reduces the growth of twigs and stem.
The disease leads to the death of the tree.
‘Dieback’ refers to the progressive death of twigs and branches which generally starts at the tips.
It was ﬁrst reported in India in Dehradun in 1992.

Neem Tree:

Azadirachtaindica is commonly known as neem tree.
It is a tree in the mahogany family
Neem is renowned for its antiviral, anti-bacterial and anti-inﬂammatory properties.
Neem is known for its pesticidal and insecticidal properties, but people also use it in hair and dental products.
Neem has been patented by India for its use as biofertilizer, biopesticide and antifertility compound as contraceptive.