Excelsior Correspondent
SRINAGAR, May 13: Lakhs of poplar trees of Russian species will face axe in Kashmir valley as Jammu and Kashmir High Court today directed the Deputy Commissioners of Kashmir valley to take steps to cut down these health hazardous trees.
Justice MH Attar directed for cutting of Poplar trees across the Valley by observing that these trees are hazardous for human life and are adversely affecting the health of people.
“All the Deputy Commissioners across the Valley in view of the considerable public importance are directed to issue appropriate orders for cutting of Poplar trees of Russian species”, Justice Attar directed.
Court said that Tehsildars should complying the orders and asked the Deputy Commissioners to pass the order of cutting down these trees. “The Tehsildars of all the Tehsils shall personally ensure the compliance of the orders which would be passed by all the Deputy Commissioners of the Kashmir valley”, court directed.
Court while directing for cutting down the poplar trees observed that pollen of these trees are adversely affecting the health of general public particularly children and elderly people. “It is common knowledge that pollen of these trees has given rise to chest disease in the Valley and has become life threatening for children and aged persons”, reads the order.
Court said that ‘Right To Live’ enshrined in Article 21 of Indian Constitution is a basic human right and the health of the general public is of paramount importance, “The life can become meaningful only when a person is healthy. To live a healthy life is one of the essential components of Indian Constitution”, court said.
Court said that the District Magistrates have power to deal with cutting of these trees as these trees pose potential threat to the health of the people of Valley and have caused havoc with the health of the people.
Court also directed the Registry of the court to seek report from the hospital authorities as to how many patients are being treated for the disease suffering by the pollen of Russian Poplar trees.
“Registry shall also, in the meanwhile, seek report from the Director SKIMS, Director Health Services Kashmir and Principal Government Medical College Srinagar about the approximate number of patients who are being treated for the disease afflicted by the pollen of Poplar trees of Russian Species”, court directed.
Court sought compliance about the directions from all the DCs before next date of hearing and directed listing of the case for further consideration on June 8.
Court, meanwhile, directed the Deputy Commissioner Srinagar to ensure that the Poplar trees near residential house of the petitioner are cut without any delay.
Petitioner Haji Ghulam Mohi-Ud-Din seeks direction from the court that the Poplar trees planted near his residential house at Zakura Srinagar be removed and he be paid Rs 3 lakhs as damages.
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