Excelsior Correspondent
Srinagar, May 18: With the trees currently in the pollination phase, the pollen from the Russian poplar trees has made life difficult for the people of Kashmir.
The residents said that the pollen is affecting the health of both children and adults, with the authorities nowhere to be seen regarding preventive measures.
“A few years ago, there was an order issued by the district administration of Ganderbal to fell these trees, but that order disappeared and no action was taken,” said Shakeel Ahmad, a resident of the Nunnar area of Ganderbal.
He said that pollen affects children more because they do not use face masks as a preventive measure. “As a result, the pollen affects them more; it pollutes the environment, making it difficult for people to move around.”
The locals also noted the case of Govt Boys High School, Nunnar, where there are many Russian poplar trees, stressing that the quantity of pollen that falls daily affects the students as well as their studies, causing them to fall ill.
Another resident, Atta Muhammad, said that those who are allergic and those who already suffer from chest-related issues are severely affected by the pollen, a common issue during the spring season.
“The administration is not addressing it, even though it has become a public nuisance. The poplars should be cut down and replaced with alternative trees that are not harmful to people, especially during the pollination season,” he said.
Dr. Abrar Ahmad, a physician, said that there are several guidelines already issued related to the matter, noting the need for people to take necessary precautions during the pollination season.
“Out of 100 cases, 50 per cent have pollen allergy as the underlying cause, as it attacks the upper respiratory tract, aggravating the situation. There are guidelines for replacing Russian poplars, but there has been no development in this regard,” he said.
He noted that prevention is better than cure, urging people to use face masks, especially in the morning and evening, to minimize the effects of pollen allergy.
Advocate Sheikh Muhammad Mustasim, a legal practitioner, also noted the lack of effort from the authorities in curbing the menace.
“In 2015, the High Court directed that these Russian poplar trees should be cut down. The administration was given directions, but then there were changes after two petitions were filed, modifying the order. As per the directives, a high-level committee,” he said.
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