The infection caused by pollen reaches its limit in April and May every year, caused by Russian poplar only; the Government hasn’t been so far able to come out with a policy decision on the issue, which included phasing out Russian poplars and introducing new varieties. It was on the directions of the High Court that a poplar commission was constituted to frame a policy in this regard.
Last time, when it was checked in January this year, it was told that within a few weeks the Government will come up with a policy and also it was stated that the Government has decided on the finalisation of modalities for formulating the policy on the cultivation of poplars including that of legal mechanism for registration of poplar nurseries. It is to be noted here that the legal mechanism for the registration of nurseries would ensure that the planting material is regulated in the interest of quality to facilitate farmers to utilize only the good varieties of poplars.
Much has not been achieved in this direction so far as there has not been anything finalized concerning the formation of a policy to govern and regulate the cultivation of poplar trees across J&K. However, on the ground, there seems to be a need for initiating the necessary steps without any further delay. Also, there is a need for putting in place a multipronged strategy to deal with the menace of pollen in Kashmir.
The authorities need to ensure that the poplar trees that generate infectious pollen are not sown, especially near the areas with a substantial population as well as the school, and college campuses across Kashmir. Also, it needs to be taken into consideration that cutting the poplar trees on a mass scale is not going to be the way out; rather, a step-wise phasing out of the same would prove beneficial. Till the time that is achieved, there is a need for adhering to the necessary precautions in April and May to remain safe from the poplar infection—the same is more important as the COVID-19 pandemic lingers around while people cannot afford to get the respiratory tract infection at any cost.
