Excelsior Correspondent
Bhadarwah, Feb 9: It is after several years that Chenab region has witnessed heavy snowfall in the early days of February and brought cheer to the tourism industry.
However, it has turned out to be a bane for locals and fruit growers with losses incurred due to the snowfall touching several crore as 50 percent of the orchards got completely damaged.
On the other hand, Doda and Kishtwar districts of the Chenab region remained into darkness on third day as 132 KV Udhampur-Kishtwar power supply line was also damaged due to the snow. While 40 per cent potable water supply has been restored in the Bhadarwah valley, most of the localities are still without water.
Although the white blanket is a delight to the eyes, it has brought a great deal of trouble to the locals.
We didn’t expect such a heavy snowfall. We tried over best to save our trees but overnight snowfall damaged 70 percent of my orchard. I was in tears and am still in a state of shock to see to see the fruit trees were lying on the ground. All of it has been damaged, said Sheikh Mohammad Shafi of Bharoa-Bhadarwah, a leading fruit grower of Chenab Valley.
“We get no support from the government or Horticulture Department as like Kashmir, we are not even covered under Prime Minister’s crop insurance scheme. I took of the matter with with DDC Doda Anshul Garg during a fruit Mela in January, although he promised to take up the matter with Chief Secretary but nothing has been done so for”, Sheikh Shafi, President Fruit Growers Association Chenab Valley added.
“Our family invested 15 years of life to grow orchard and since last 5 years we have been totally dependent on the income we used to get from these fruit trees, but a single night of snowfall changed everything as 50 pear and apple trees got totally damaged. Hope administration will bail us out from this situation”, said Surinder Kumar of Village Gajoth-Kellar.
It is notable to mention here that after Kashmir, Chenab region is the leading fruit producer of the State with Bhadarwah Valley contributing 65 per cent of the yield including apple, pears, walnut and parsimon.
According to official data issued by the Horticulture Department, more than 55 per cent of the fruit trees have got damaged in snowfall at Bhadarwah, Kellar, Bhallesa, Dessa, Chatroo and Marmat, suggesting a loss of approximately Rs 100 crore.
“Preliminary reports received from our field staff, suggest that nearly 50 per cent of the fruit trees have got completely damaged, thereby irreparable losses has been caused to trees, plantation and Orchards. We appeal to the farmers not to let snow accumulate on the trees and remove it as early and frequently as possible because MET has issued warning of yet another spell of snowfall from February 12,” said Rohan Kumar, Horticulture Development Officer (HDO).
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