Srinagar: J&K High Court has directed the government to place their decision on impact of pollen from poplar trees by May 20.
The chief Justice Gita Mittal and Justice Rajnesh Oswal passed the direction after it was submitted by Amit Gupta, Additional Advocate General (AAG) that the panel which was constituted on April 10 has submitted its report which is being considered by the authorities.
The court after hearing the counsel directed that the decision be taken and placed before the court on next date of hearing.
Earlier High Court had stayed government order for felling female poplar trees and directed the Chief Secretary to constitute a committee on the matter.
The court had left the decision and action to be taken by the Secretary, Health and Medical Education and had passed no direction regarding felling of the trees.
It had recorded that significantly a grave error is pointed out which is to the effect that female poplar trees have been directed by the authorities to be felled on account of the “pollen” generated by them.
“Pollen is generated by the male of the species and not by the female tree. Therefore felling of the female of the species would not have any impact,” the court had said.
It had noted that it is necessary that the basis of the issue and desirability of felling of female poplar trees needs to be revisited before these trees are felled.

NUSRAT SIDIQ