Disease outbreak affects majority of palm trees in Nadella
The island's Council President, Anshau, reported that a significant number of local coconut palms are suffering from a rapidly spreading disease known as sooty mold. He noted that treating the outbreak would require substantial expenditure on pesticides, and given the speed at which the infection is spreading, the council has decided to seek government assistance to procure the necessary treatments to save the trees.
GDh. Nadella is an island characterized by its abundant coconut palms. | Social Media | Social Media
Residents of GDh. Nadella have expressed growing concern over a disease spreading through the island's palm trees, causing a significant number of them to deteriorate.
Speaking to RaajjeMV, a local resident reported that a significant number of coconut palms across a large portion of the island's land have been affected by a disease. He noted that the palms are severely deteriorating. He further emphasized that this is a matter of great concern and stressed the urgent need for a swift solution.
He stated that the prevalence of disease among coconut palms has led to a shortage in the supply of mature and young coconuts.
Regarding the issue, the President of the Island Council, Mohamed Anshau, stated that a significant number of palm trees across the island have been infected, with the disease spreading rapidly over time. He identified the ailment as sooty mold and noted that eradicating the disease would require an extensive chemical treatment process involving substantial costs.
The council has stated that it will promptly bring the issue of the diseased and dying palm trees to the government's attention. Furthermore, the council emphasized its commitment to saving these trees—which take years to mature and provide long-term benefits—from the persistent spread of this disease.
As a disease spreads across a significant number of coconut palms in Nadella, the recurring issue of palm tree infections continues to pose a major challenge for several islands across the Maldives.
The coconut palms are being infested by a black sooty mold and scale-like insects, causing the crown of the trees to wither completely and leading to their destruction. As a result, the affected palms have become entirely unproductive.
