A Health Hazard
In Kashmir, poplar trees are popular in many ways. However, they are often criticized because of the pollen and its impact on health. Every year in May and June, the pollen from poplar trees becomes a nuisance. These trees are mostly found in paddy fields and along highways. They shed cotton-like balls that float on the breeze and blanket every available surface. These cotton balls create havoc and disturb normal life during these two months. Not only do they cause health issues, particularly for patients with respiratory problems, they also contribute to environmental pollution.
These poplar trees, popularly known as ‘Russian Poplar’, planted in the year 1982, were introduced as part of a World Bank-aided project. At that time, no one anticipated that they would significantly affect two things in Kashmir: public health and our indigenous variety, Kashur Phras (the Kashmiri poplar tree). This indigenous poplar tree was gradually replaced due to the fast growth of the Russian poplar trees. However, they can never match the strength of the indigenous timber.
It is true that the Kashmiri breed, Kashur Phras, takes 30 to 40 years to fully mature, whereas the Russian poplar takes only 10 to 15 years. But in terms of strength, height, and health, Russian trees cannot are no match. Their rapid growth has made them commercially attractive and led to their widespread planting across Kashmir.
As like every year, this year it has become more relevant threat to spread of the corona virus like symptoms in Kashmir. The pollen of said trees creates influenza like infections which may create unnecessary panic among the general public. There’s no doubt that spring is the key time for allergies, but we need to be scientifically correct.
Whether the lopping or chopping down of these trees may prove fatal to public health or not, for me, it is worse than pollution. We have seen it like dandruff on green grass, clinging to windows, floating on water, at the shores of streams and lakes, and disturbing everyone while walking outside. It goes into the nose, eyes, and mouth with every breeze of air. During its peak season, it creates a COVID-19-like atmosphere. It not only becomes a health issue but also disrupts public movement.
It is pertinent to mention that the pollen, from the botanical variety Populus deltoides, is produced by the female trees, which consume up to 15 Liters of water every day—a record high among breeds. As a result, these trees grow tall, often exceeding 40 feet, and mature in about 15 years.
There was a directive from the Jammu and Kashmir High Court to the state government to ban female poplar trees in the state capital. In subsequent years, the High Court instructed the government to identify and cut-down female poplar trees across Kashmir due to health concerns. In 2014, in response to a public interest litigation filed by a Srinagar resident, the issue gained further attention. As part of the “measures to get rid of this menace before the onset of the flowering season across the Valley,” the Divisional Commissioner of Kashmir ordered that all female poplar trees within 500 metres of habitations must be felled.
For a common man, and based on general understanding, the pollen seeds of poplars are adversely affecting the health of the general public, especially the elderly and children. Had the public not experienced its disastrous effects firsthand, these trees would not have been cut down by the very people who once planted them. The seeds of these trees have contributed to the rise of chest-related diseases in Kashmir, which can become life-threatening. In view of the health risks and environmental pollution, there are a few suggestions that need to be considered for the safety and protection of both public health and the environment.
Firstly, the government has already made a very good decision to cut down these poplar trees and has provided alternative, less harmful tree species for plantation drives. The female poplars were replaced with male varieties or other native species such as Kashur Phras (the indigenous poplar) or Chinar trees, which are safer for health and the environment. Another variety with similar qualities but without pollen has been introduced, which is also very good in terms of timber quality. Most farmers have adopted it and are getting good production along with commercial benefits.
Secondly, our Horticulture Department can play an important role in guiding farmers towards sustainable and health-friendly plantation practices. We have hardly observed any awareness camps organized by the department regarding the benefits and uses of plantation, the harmful effects of female poplar trees (Populus deltoides), and the promotion of eco-friendly alternatives. To encourage farmers toward sustainability, we need to conduct awareness and education campaigns on the negative impacts of certain trees on the earth, human health, the environment, and water resources, while also highlighting their long-term commercial benefits.
No doubt, the Horticulture Department has focused mainly on apple trees, but there are other indigenous trees like Kashur Phras, Chinar, walnut, and other fruit-bearing trees with hybrid potential, where the latest technologies need to be applied.
Thirdly, we need to apply alternatives for such tress which are harmful in the long run. Imported species can also be an alternative to boost environment as well as economy. Also subsides to the farmers to be given for replacing harmful tress with alternatives with trainings, like how to plant a tress, pesticides and nourishment. The same species must be under the proper monitoring by the department.
Since life depends on trees, and it is a science that most farmers are unaware of, there must be coordination among the Horticulture, Forest, Agriculture, Urban Forestry, Floriculture, Pollution Control Board, Environment, Revenue Department, and Local Administration to frame policies collaboratively for better results in plantation, which supports life in many ways.
