| 11 yrs on, Forest deptt yet to implement recommendations | | Disease free forests! | |  Saahil Suhail
Early Times Report
Anantnag, Apr 7: Despite passage of over ten years, Forest department is yet to implement recommendations made by Forest Research Institute- Dehradun in year 2005 for making forests in Kashmir division disease free.
Documents and a study tour report accessed by Early Times reveal that in 2005, a team of Forest Research Institute- Dehradun after being approached by the state forest department visited Gulmarg and Tangmarg in Pir Panjal Forest Division, Boniyar in Jhelum valley Forest division, Chandigam, Magan and S.Lolab in Kamraj forest division for accessing the status of diseases in the region.
Team comprising Dr A N Skukla, Head and Dr Y P Singh Scientist-C from forest Pathology Division of Forest Research Institute- Dehradun also visited Pahalgam compartment 34, 19/AC, 141 AC, Aru and Mattan in Lidder Forest Division to diseases in Pinus Wallichaiana and other conifers.
The study tour was undertaken in Jammu and Kashmir by the team from 12-06-2005 to 20-06-2005 during which the high level team collected soil samples from three localities namely Pahalgam, Gulmarg and Magan for mycorrhizal characterization.
The study tour, which the team has handedover to then Principal Chief Conservator of Forests, (IFS) and Chief Conservator of Forests, Shafat Ahmad reveals in Pahalgam particularly compartment 34, 19/AC, 141 AC, and forests towards Aru were affected by dwarf mistletoe.
In a sample survey, according to report, near Shanti Hut Pahalgam, 62% trees were found infected. The team had also found many other diseases in Pahalgam and others forest areas of Kashmir.
Making the forests disease free in the region, the team had strongly recommended the removal, pruning of infected trees but on visiting Pahalgam one can easily see infected and dried up trees standing.
"Despite our written and verbal requests department is no mood to remove the dried up trees despite the fact that we have planted their triple number," a hotelier pleading anonymity said as he fears saying something against the department could have serious repercussions.
Environment activists, accuse forest department of negligence, however middle rung officials express helplessness in this regard.
Activists told Early Times that department must ensure implementation of the recommendations for protecting the forest from diseases
On being contacted, senior officials expressed ignorance about the study tour and recommendations made by the FRI-Dehradun team.
"I need to check my record before commenting over the issue," Chief Conservator of Forests told ET.
Director State Forest Research Institute, Suresh Kumar Gupta (IFS) wasn't available for a comment. |
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