Srinagar, Dec 28: The “Poplar Commission” constituted by the J&K government held its second meeting on 28 December, 2021 in Srinagar 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 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, Dr Mohit Gera, Chairman of the Commission took review of the deliberations and decisions made in the first meeting of the commission held on 16-10-2021 as well as the report submitted by Chairmen of the three committees constituted during the first meet on introduction of fast growing varities, cultivation and utilization of poplars in J&K, a statement issued to Ziraat Times said.
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 of different products mainly plywood veneer, pencil making etc 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 upon on improving the quality of planting stock of Poplar, better cultivation and management techniques for enhanced quality & reducing the period of cultivation for early returns to the farmers. The Commission also deliberated in detail on the concerns of the industry as well as the problems being faced by the farmers, nursery growers in cultivation as well as issues on marketing of Poplar wood. 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 statement added.
The meeting was attended by Sh. Roshan Jaggi, IFS PCCF/Director Department of Social Forestry J&K, Dr Tariq Masoodi, Dean Forestry, SKUAST, Kashmir, Sh Rabi Kumar IFS, APCCF Kashmir, Sh Ramesh Kumar, IFS Chief Conservator of Forests, Jammu, Mr. Maraj -Ud -din Malik, SFS, Regional Director Social Forestry, Kashmir, Dr Harpreet Kour, SFS, 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, General Secretary, 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).
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