Srinagar- Kashmiri Netizens are locking horns over the government’s latest order to fell some “tens of thousands of female poplars within 10-days”, according to a report published in a leading Indian daily, The Hindu.
Quoting Kashmir Province Divisional Commissioner, PK Pole, the report said that all female poplar trees within 500 metres of habitations “should be felled in ten days”.
Dotting picturesque landscape in city as well as in countryside, Kashmir is home to millions of such trees.
Unofficial estimates suggest Kashmir is home to over 15 million such trees. They dot all the highways, urban and rural pockets in Kashmir.
Along with many environmentalists, netizens cutting across their professions have warned of dire consequences if the trees are cut.
According to a study, only 26 of 46 Russian poplar species cause allergies.
Scientific findings are being sidelined by JK govt and Poplar trees are cut. The entire premise is wrong: "Russ" these trees shed isnt pollen and not allergic. But Babudom rocks!
Poplars form about 40% green cover in Kashmir and are grown in Punjab Haryana, HP too.
— Imran Nabi Dar (@ImranNDar) April 7, 2020
Amid the raging debate on the mass felling of poplars, some experts and activists argue that more research is needed to prove that only poplar pollens cause springtime health hazard in the valley.
Is there any scientific study which has established role of poplars (Russian poplar is misnomer) in respiratory diseases in Kashmir.. Hasty decision without scientific basis will be economic & ecological disaster…
— Anzar A Khuroo (@Khuroo_Kashmir) April 6, 2020
The order infuriated many amid the current Covid-19 lockdown.
I m sure all this has been done on unscientific basis simply upon assumptions. Poplars are in North American continent as well, if they havent been stressing on such measures then why in Kashmir.
— Dr. Monisa Banday (@MonisaBanday) April 3, 2020
However, keeping a stark health warning in view, some netizens are endorsing the official stand, saying that poplar pollens can aggravate the Covid-19 pandemic in the valley.
Nowadays people are after #poplars in #kashmir, saying it will help in spreading #corona. Only 20% people are allergic to poplar #pollen. Will felling #female poplars save us or it it will be #environmental_disaster? @naveednazirshah @irfanifs @rifatabdullahh @ShujaUH
— Dr Sheeraz ARS (@shrzbhat) April 3, 2020
https://twitter.com/majidhyderi/status/1246103753071050752
Poplars could complicate our problems. Public must comply, in their own interests. pic.twitter.com/P5NWgjIQVu
— Syed Yasir (@yasirsyedx) April 3, 2020
But the overwhelming response on the social media only makes the move hasty and unpopular.
🙏🙏Handfolded request to our worthy@listenshahid @MayorofS @srinagaradmin
Russian poplar trees will increase respiratory problems. This will add pressure on hospitals as maximum number of people are allergic to them. Plz issue strict orders for their cutting. 🙏🙏 pic.twitter.com/72z1C4jQVt— Gowhar nabi (@Gowhar_18) April 5, 2020
https://twitter.com/_IbnKashmir/status/1246101346970828800
Deputy Commissiores of Kashmir ordered felling of Russian poplars all over valley. Likely to cause loss of thousands of crores to farmers. Market intervention warrented to save them. @grievance #SavePoplarFarmars
— A.M. Watali (@WataliAli) April 6, 2020
Even if we have to cut these poplars across Kashmir, it has to be in phasesd manner, so that we can compensate it with other plantation…
— Anzar A Khuroo (@Khuroo_Kashmir) April 6, 2020
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