Sofi Anayat

Baramulla, April 10 (KNS): Deputy Commissioner Baramulla Dr G N Itoo today issues deadline to officers of various departments associated with the process of axing Female
Russian Poplars throughout the district as to move to supplement efforts regarding the
anti-corana combat. The Russian Poplars are being chopped to mitigate the risk of
respiratory tract infection caused by the pollen of these poplars.

In this regard, Deputy Commissioner while chairing the meeting which was also attended by SSP Baramulla and Sopore said that the process of chopping the Russian Poplars is being carried out throughout the district both on state land as well as on private land and issued strict directions to complete the process of looping/pruning by 20th April and cutting by 30th of April positively.

DC directed concerned Sub-Divisional Magistrates, DFO Social Forestry, Manager SFC, Officers from Army, CRPF, BSF and BEACON to ensure compliance of order already issued with regard to removal of the Poplars of Russian species in the District. He further added that to implement the order in letter and spirit, officers associated with the cutting/looping of Female Russian Poplar must issue necessary NOC immediately to all the concerned and also directed them to take steps in consultations with SSP Baramulla and Sopore, wherever required.

Moreover, the DC said that the Russian Female Poplar Trees standing in government departments including Forest, State land and Kacharie land shall be felled down by the officials of Social Forestry, SFC and Tehsildars concerned and any violation of the instructions may invite penal action under Disaster Management Act, 2005.

DFO Social Forestry Baramulla, who is also Nodal Officer, was directed to conduct mapping of all such trees including those under the occupation of defence authority. He was also directed to submit compliance report on daily basis with regard to looping/pruning and cutting of all such trees so that the process is completed within stipulated time frame.

Meanwhile, Dr Itoo also appealed the people to cooperate with the administration at this critical juncture by cutting all female Russian Poplar Trees standing in their proprietary land so that process is smoothly executed and warned of strict action for non
compliance. He said that if the public failed to cut the trees, then District Administration
shall axe the trees by mobilizing the manpower of Forest, Social Forestry and Revenue Departments. Costs for cutting of such tress shall also be imposed, he added.(KNS)