SRINAGAR: In view of the reports of damage caused to fruit trees and fruit crop by heavy rain and snowfall occurred on Ajaz Ahmad Bhat Director General Horticulture, Kashmir in his extensive tour to District Kulgam visited various snow
hit orchards in the areas viz. Chawalgam, Nihama, KB Pora, Khul, Ahmadabad, Noorabad Waripora, Mirhama, Kulgam, DK Marg etc. and took stock of the situation.
He was accompanied by Joint Director Horticulture, Kashmir, concerned Chief Horticulture officer and various field functionaries. Concerned SDM, representatives ofKrishi Vikas Kendra, concerned Tehsildar, Members of Panchayati Raj Institute also accompanied the Director General.
Director General expressed his sympathy with the grieved orchardists and assured them of all possible help. He further advised them: to immediately remove snow from the branches of fruit trees, to slowly pull back the partially uprooted/tilted trees back to the original position after heavy pruning and proper support and staking,to immediately cover the exposed/naked roots with soil to avoid further damage.to keep the drainage channels clean; to remain in contact with the Department for any sort of assistance or guidance.
The Director General said that the Department has already issued a detailed advisory in this regard and urged the farmers to follow the advisory in letter and spirit.
He further said that there are strict instructions from the Advisor Farooq Ahmad Khan and Principal Secretary to Government, Horticulture Department, J&K Navin Kumar Chaudhary regarding assessment of damage caused due to the early snowfall. He accordingly directed the field functionaries to comply with the instructions and report the same within the stipulated time.

KR Desk