Neem trees can control pollution: Dr Sulaiman Haji

Coimbatore, Nov 21 (UNI) Former Malaysian Minister Sulaiman Haji Daud today said planting of neem trees on a large scale was the only solution to control environmental pollution and global warming as neem tree can absorb toxic elements in the atmosphere.

Delivering his address in the four-day ''Fifth World Neem Conference'' here, organised by the Mumbai based Neem Foundation, he said for centuries, neem had been used in agriculture, medicine, cosmetics, toiletries, livestock protection and health.

All parts of Neem were useful. The leaves and the leaf extracts was considered to be anti-bacterial, while neem oil was an anti-fungal and pesticidal, he said.

Neem bark extract is used extensively in different pharmacological preparations and the powder from neem bark as tooth powder.

Neem trees were indigenous to the Indian sub-continent, which includes India, Myanmar, Bangladesh, Pakistan and Malaysia, Dr Sulaiman said.

Taking into account the growing demand for neem and its products, extracts from neem should be modernised and the crude extraction equipments being used should be replaced with modern technology to avoid wastage.

Collection of neem products, including neem fruits has to be done in more scientific and effective manner.

In her address, Neem Foundation Managing Trustee Pramila Thakkar said within five years, the global sale of neem products would yield about 500 million dollars.

UNI