Iqbal Amin
Srinagar April 9 (KINS): On the directions of Deputy Commissioner Baramulla, the State Forest Corporation under the supervision of DFO Social Forestry Baramulla kick started drive for axing of female poplar trees in Rafiabad of north Kashmir.
The drive started from various villages of Rafiabad in north Kashmir.
On the occasion SDPO Rafiabad Nisar Ahmad and DO Police Post Watergam were also present.
SDPO Rafiabad Nisar Ahmad while talking to KINS correspondent said the support and cooperation from the general public is needed to take the drive to its logical end.
“The drive of axing of Russian poplar will continue for the next few days to eradicate the menace completely,” he said.
Female poplar producing pollens has been considered hazardous for human health by the health experts. The female variety of the tree sheds a lot of pollen in April. Russian poplar trees, which can grow up to 30-40 feet in height, were introduced in Kashmir in 1981-82 under the World Bank-aided Social Forestry Project of the state government then.
In pursuance of the J&K High court directions and on the directions of Deputy Commissioner Baramulla, the department started axing of these trees.(KINS)
