Ganderbal, May 26: The circular issued by Deputy Commissioner Ganderbal regarding cutting down of Russian poplars exists “only on papers”.
ADC Ganderbal issued a circular on 17th may which said, “The female Russian poplars (populous deltoids) pose great threat to environment of state and cause problems to human health including respiratory problem, allergy etc and in view of detailed facts there are clear cut orders from High Court of J&K to identify the poplars and cut down on war footing.”
The circular directed Tehsildars of Ganderbal to identify the poplars within their jurisdiction with the help of social forestry department and cut down the trees immediately.
Local residents from various areas of the district Ganderbal said that an order to chop Russian poplars exists only on papers. “Thousands of Russain poplars are present in the district and also new ones are being planted,” the residents alleged.
The residents further said that every spring season orders and circulars are issued to chop Russain poplars but after spring nobody talks about the issue.
