The ‘Poplar Commission’ constituted by the
Government held its second meeting on Tuesday at Forest Complex Sheikh Bagh
under the chairmanship of Dr. Mohit Gera, Principal Chief Conservator of
Forests and HoFF.
The Commission has been constituted to
advise the Government on various aspects of introduction, cultivation,
utilization and regulation of poplars as well as for formulation of policy on
Poplar cultivation in J&K.
The first of its kind in the country, the
Commission has been constituted with experts drawn from Forest Department,
Social Forestry Department, SKUAST and allied fields including representatives
from Wood Based Industry, poplar growing farmers and nursery growers.
Speaking on the occasion, Chairman of the
Commission took review of the deliberations and decisions made in the first
meeting of the commission as well as the report submitted by Chairmen of the
three committees constituted during the first meeting on introduction of fast
growing varieties, cultivation and utilization of poplars in J&K.
The Committees have suggested new varieties
for introduction, and cultivation of poplars to enhance productivity and
quality. Special emphasis has been given on cultivation of highly productive
clones procured only from the registered nurseries so that only male poplar
clones are cultivated which will not produce cotton which is perceived as
pollen and source of allergy.The Commission also discussed the legal mechanism
for registration of poplar nurseries so that planting material can be regulated
in the interest of quality to facilitate farmers to utilize only the good
varieties of poplar.
Certain suggestions on making different
products, mainly plywood veneer, pencil making etc were also received which
will provide raw material to these wood-based industries. Committees have also
suggested the utilization of poplar wood from smaller dimension trees of around
two feet girth which can be harvested in 6-8 years and facilitate early return
to farmers.
The Commission also deliberated on
improving the quality of planting stock of Poplar, better cultivation and
management techniques for enhanced quality and reducing the period of
cultivation for early returns to the farmers. The Commission also finalized the
modalities of formulating the policy on cultivation of poplars which shall be
finalized soon and submitted to the Govt. for consideration.
The meeting was attended by Roshan Jaggi,
PCCF/Director Department of Social Forestry J&K, Dr Tariq Masoodi, Dean
Forestry, SKUAST, Kashmir, Rabi Kumar, APCCF Kashmir, Ramesh Kumar, Chief
Conservator of Forests, Jammu, Maraj -Ud -din Malik, Regional Director Social
Forestry, Kmr, Dr Harpreet Kour, Special Secretary (Technical), Forest, Ecology
& Environment Department, Dr. Fayaz Ahmad Bhat, DFO SF Division Kupwara,
Dr. Tariq Kashani representing Director, Forest Research Institute, J&K, Dr
Samant, Director, Himalayan Forest Research Institute, Shimla, South Kashmir
Wood Supplies Union, President, Pencil Slats/ Block Manufacturing Association,
Kashmir, Representatives from Farmers/ Nursery Growers Associated with
cultivation/production of Poplar (representing South and North Kashmir). Courtesy: www.indiaeducationdiary.in
