Forest deptt orders survey of dangerous dry trees after Tangmarg incident

Baramulla, May 15: The Jammu and Kashmir Forest Department has ordered a detailed enumeration of dry standing trees posing threat to life and property across the Tangmarg area following a recent incident in which a falling tree injured a biker.
According to an official communication issued by the Office of the Divisional Forest Officer (DFO), Special Forest Division Tangmarg, the directive was issued after a dry Kail tree fell due to strong winds on May 14 near Darul-Uloom Qazipora on the Qazipora road, resulting in injuries to a motorcyclist.
The communication, addressed to the Range Officer Gulmarg, said the matter had been viewed seriously and directed officials to conduct a comprehensive survey of dry standing trees located along roadsides and near public establishments.
The order specifically asked officials to identify trees situated close to schools, mosques, residential areas, public institutions, and other establishments in and around Tangmarg.
Authorities have also been directed to enumerate all dry standing trees along the Gulmarg-Tangmarg road.
The Forest Department instructed field staff to furnish compartment-wise information along with geo-tagged photographs of every identified tree so that necessary action for removal of threat-posing trees could be initiated at the earliest.
The official order also prescribed a reporting format requiring details such as species, tree number, diameter class, estimated timber and firewood volume, geo-coordinates, and remarks.
The move comes amid increasing concern over safety risks posed by old and dry trees during strong winds and changing weather conditions in Kashmir. [KNT]