Excelsior Correspondent
BhadErwah, Dec16: About 60 per cent citrus fruit crop was damaged due to recent snowfall in this picturesque Valley of Bhaderwah and adjoining areas in Doda district, a senior government official said.
Bhaderwah, along with Kellar, Pranoo, Shiva, Bhallesa, Dessa, Chatroo and Marmat, experienced heavy snowfall between Thursday and Sunday. “Nearly 60 percent of the citrus fruit crop have suffered irreparable losses in the latest snowfall, as harvesting season starts after first fortnight of January”, Bhaderwah Horticulture Development Officer Aabid Hussain Tantray said, quoting preliminary information received from the field staff. Putting the loss suffered by the orchards in the snow-bound areas to nearly 60 percent, Tantray asked the farmers not to let snow accumulate on trees.
It is after several years that erstwhile Doda District has witnessed heavy snowfall in November and first fortnight of December 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 in crore as 60 percent of the orchards got completely damaged as unripe fruit fell from the trees.
“We didn’t expect such a heavy snowfall. We tried over best to save our citrus fruit but overnight snowfall damaged 70 percent of my orchard. I was in tears and am still in a state of shock to see the heap of unripe lemon, sweet lemon, oranges and kinnu lying on the ground. All of it has been damaged”, said Sheikh Mohammad Shafi of Bharoa-Bhaderwah, a leading fruit grower of Chenab Valley.
According to the officials 60 percent of the citrus fruit crop including lemon, oranges, sweet lemon, kinnu and mousambi got damaged due to the heavy snowfall from Thursday to Sunday Morning. Harvesting season of the crop starts from 15th January.
“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 DDC Doda Dr Sagar Dattaray Doifode during a Fruit Mela. Although he promised to take up the matter with Chief Secretary but nothing has been done so for”, Sheikh Shafi, President Fruit Growers Association added.
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