SRINAGAR: A lawmakers’ committee on environment in Kashmir has decided on various measures to overcome health problems caused by Russian species of poplar trees.
The House Committee on environment of the Jammu and Kashmir assembly has directed the Director of Social Forestry department to introduce the process of lopping these trees on a massive scale from October.
Pollen or seeds from these trees are causing health problems, particular among the elderly and children. They may even cause problems leading to death in patients with acute asthma.
Experts of the valley’s Agricultural University have opined that 75 per cent of the problem could be reduced due to lopping (pruning, branch cutting) of these trees.
As a short-term measure, the authorities in Srinagar, Kashmir main city and summer capital, have already ordered a ban on fresh plantation of this particular species of poplars.
Long-term Measures
“It was also decided that the department of Social Forestry would arrange alternate species of poplar trees to phase out the existing popular varieties which is not only hazardous for health but also big cause of the Environment Pollution,” an official spokesman said.
He said the Director of Social Forestry, Hafizullah Sadiqui informed a meeting of the committee that the department has introducing male poplar of five new clones in its nurseries.
“It was the only long term solution to control the problem of seed cotton problem caused by the existing species of poplar,” the spokesman quoted Sadiqui as having said.
The scientists of the university also informed that new species of poplar which are not cotton producing have been developed by them. The species could be mass multiplied under collaboration with the concerned departments, they said.
The House Committee has also decided to launch a massive awareness campaign to educate people about the ill effects of cotton-producing poplar varieties and phasing out these with new hybrid species.
The Health and Medical Education department was directed to evaluate the impact of existing species of poplar trees on health and to issue advisories for preventive measures.
The department was asked to release the evaluation report within three months.
