Analyzing the Contribution of Moringa oleifera (Lam.) to the CO\(_2\) Stock and Other Advantages for Urban Residents

Abstract

Moringa oleifera Lam. is a tree with high nutritive values with essential nutrients, minerals, and vitamins. It makes the tree best for the urban residents in South Asian countries. The Moringa trees in Bilaspur city of Chhattisgarh, India, were enumerated, and their potential yield and CO2 storage were estimated. The resident response to the benefits of Moringa was explored through interviews. The main objectives of the study are analyzing of the CO2 stock in urban areas and the importance of moringa species for the growth of urban residences. Forty-eight sample plots of 50m x 50m size were laid out randomly across the city. The total number of Moringa trees in the city was 84499, accounting for 0.23 trees per capita. The increase in human density in urban sites negatively correlated with Moringa populations (R2=0.328). Young trees of 20-30cm diameter were abundant in the urban environment, which yield four to19kg tree-1 pods and 3 to 10kg leaf tree-1. An average Moringa tree stored 0.04tonne CO2, and overall, the stock was 3380tons of CO2 in these trees of the city. Eighty-five percent of the urban residents ranked first to the Moringa fruit followed by leaf and these were identified as the reason for the domestication of the trees by the urban resident. More than 58% of urban residents use different parts of the Moringa plant 15 - 25 times a year, and 27% of people use it more than 25 times as vegetables. The tree was most beneficial for urban residents, contributing to food security and climate change.Therefore the concept of "one house one Moringa" may be advocated for implementing the climate-smart urban policy.