By Sameer Ahmad
Anantnag:- Despite the High court orders to remove the Russian poplar trees Anantnag district administration seems unmoved by the peoples plight. Officials put blame on Revenue department saying they ‘are not interested in cutting down trees’.
“People are suffering and with each passing day, complaints of allergies are becoming common,” locals complained.
Not only are allergies rampant but asthmatic patients are in distress.
“Children particularly are bearing the brunt of callous and lackadaisical administration,” they said.
A top official in the district administration told INS, that while District authorities pass orders for removal, it is the Revenue department which doesn’t act.
“Orders and directions have been time and again passed but Revenue department which has been failing us all,” he said.
He said that the order to cut down trees is directed towards Tehsildars, and ‘their department, it seems, is not interested in cutting down trees’.
While people in Anantnag are battling to make the administration take the call on the problem, in compliance with the directions of High Court, with regard to the potential threat to human health, the Deputy Commissioner Baramulla has ordered immediate removal of female species of Russian poplar trees across the district.
A day earlier DC Ganderbal also ordered to cut down the trees that have created problems for people.
Deputy Commissioner Ganderbal has passed orders to all the tehsildars to cut down the Russian Poplar trees, pollen of which has been a public concern.
“It is once again impressed upon the tehsildars of district Ganderbal to identify the said trees within their territorial jurisdiction with the help of Social Forestry Department, Ganderbal, and cut them down on immediate basis.” the order reads.
ADVERTISEMENT
