Excelsior Correspondent
Srinagar, July 22: The fruit growers of south Kashmir’s Shopian district today said the fluctuating weather in valley has given rise to a leaf disease among apple trees.
President Fruit Growers and Dealers Association, Shopian, Muhammad Amin told Excelsior that the disease called Alternaria leaf blotch disease has plagued apple growth in the district.
He accused Horticulture authorities of not paying attention towards the problem and said: “They don’t take the issue seriously and they also don’t take measures to curb the problem since the preparations to handle the situation should have been done long before.”
The Kashmir valley, since September 2014 floods, is undergoing climate change as the region has witnessed continuous downpour since the deluge. Not only horticulture, but the agriculture is also bearing the brunt of changing weather.
Amin said the disease has also plagued apple growth in neighbouring Pulwama and Kulgam districts.
A senior Horticulture Department official, when contacted, declined to comment over the issue.
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