Srinagar, Sept 21, KDC: As many as 14,255 Russian poplar trees were cut down across seven districts of Kashmir during the last three years, the Jammu and Kashmir Government has informed the Legislative Assembly, while stating that a committee had recommended removal of female poplars and promotion of male, cotton-free poplar clones among farmers.
The information was provided by the Forest, Ecology and Environment Department in response to an unstarred question by MLA Mushtaq Guroo on whether restrictions had been imposed on plantation of Russian poplar trees and directions issued for cutting down such trees over public health and environmental safety concerns.
According to the government, the Jammu and Kashmir High Court in May 2015 had issued directions regarding mass cutting down and restrictions on plantation of female Russian poplar trees across the Kashmir Valley due to concerns over their airborne, allergy-inducing cotton-like fluff.
The High Court subsequently stayed the blanket cutting-down order on April 10, 2020, following ecological and economic concerns raised by experts, the government said.
The government further stated that a committee was constituted under the chairmanship of the Principal Chief Conservator of Forests through Government Order No. 470-JK(GAD) of 2020 dated April 14, 2020, pursuant to the High Court’s directions in PIL No. 04 of 2020, titled Azra Usmail vs Union Territory of J&K.
The committee examined scientific reports and expert opinions on the health concerns associated with poplar fluff and the need for removing female poplar trees.
After examining the available scientific material and expert opinions, the committee concluded that no established scientific link exists between poplar pollen and allergies or asthma.
However, it observed that the cotton-like fluff may act as a carrier of dust, fungal spores and pollen, causing nuisance in densely populated areas.
Keeping in view the economic and ecological importance of poplar trees, the committee recommended removal of female poplars and promotion of male, cotton-free poplar clones among farmers.
The government said that, in accordance with these recommendations, the Forest Department through its Social Forestry wing has been removing mature departmental poplar trees through auction in a phased manner.
The Revenue Department is also removing such trees in compliance with the directions of the High Court, it said.
District-wise, Budgam recorded the highest number of Russian poplar trees cut down during the last three years, with 9,951 trees, followed by Baramulla with 1,648 and Ganderbal with 751.
Anantnag recorded 792 trees, Srinagar 657, Kulgam 235 and Pulwama 215.
The total number of Russian poplar trees cut down across these seven Kashmir districts during the last three years stood at 14,255, according to the government. (KDC)
