India orders cutting down of thousands of poplar trees in disputed Kashmir to fight coronavirus baffling experts and farmers there
An Indian army soldier stands alert with polar trees in the background in Khudwani area of south Kashmir's Kulgam some 60 kilometers from India-administered Kashmir's Srinagar on April 11, 2018.
Both farmers and environmentalists in the region are up against the government decision, describing it as a manmade ecological disaster and depriving thousands of livelihoods. It was introduced in the region in 1982 through a world bank aided social forestry project to boost the local economy by addressing to the wood requirement and also help in afforestation. The tree has since then become a major part of Kashmir’s landscape and green cover.
“The decision amounts to an ecological disaster.It will also contribute to soil erosion and reduce oxygen levels. Who will compensate all this and the loss of green cover? “asked Muheem.In 2014, following a court direction, the government cut down 26,000 such trees. The court was acting on a petition, claiming that pollens are creating respiratory problems. But researchers at a local medical college describe it an exaggerated claim.
A pulmonologist while partly agreeing with the government move said while there is a possibility of contracting respiratory infection, it was better to prune the trees rather than cutting them down. Speaking to Anadolu Agency, Muneeb Mukhtar, working in the horticulture sector said the tree is being singled out for short-sighted reasons.
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