Srinagar, Sep 1: In a major safety measure at Kashmir’s famed tourist destination Gulmarg, the Forest Department has identified 280 decayed trees as posing a threat to public safety and plans to axe them within the next month.
Divisional Forest Officer (DFO) Tangmarg Feroz Ahmad told Rising Kashmir that the department has completed an enumeration of 643 trees in the Gulmarg range, including along the Gulmarg stretch, which have either dried up or pose a potential threat to life and property.
“Of the 643 trees, 487 are located inside the forest area while 156 are outside the forest area. Out of these, 280 trees have been identified as posing a threat to life and will be axed within a month. All the trees have been enumerated and geo-tagged,” he said.
The DFO said the department has prepared a detailed list of the identified trees, which will be forwarded to the higher authorities for further necessary action.
The move comes months after residents and visitors raised concerns over the presence of decaying and potentially hazardous trees in Gulmarg, urging authorities to take immediate measures to prevent any untoward incident.
Feroz said the deterioration of trees could be attributed to both natural causes and human intervention, with the department examining the latter seriously.
“Decaying of trees can happen naturally or due to human interventions. When wastewater from urinals of hotels and other properties in Gulmarg enters forest land, it can weaken the roots and contribute to the decay of trees. But sometimes they expire with age,” he said.
He said the department has already issued notices in cases where such violations have been observed and further action will follow.
The official said the Forest Department also provides clear guidelines while granting permissions for new hotel construction in Gulmarg to prevent damage to the surrounding forest ecosystem.
“We have clearly mentioned that septic tank waste should not be discharged into forest land and that the buffer zone also needs to be maintained,” he said.
According to the DFO, the department is also fencing vulnerable forest areas to prevent the entry of waste and protect the forest ecosystem.
Feroz said the concerned agencies have been apprised of the issue and that measures are being taken to ensure the safety of visitors and residents.
“The Forest Department has already been working on this issue so that people do not suffer,” he said.
