Despite clear orders from the government to cut Russian poplars across Kashmir, the revenue and social forestry departments have failed to check the growth and plantation of the cotton-shedding trees in different parts of Kashmir Valley.
A source of anxiety, irritation and diseases in summers, the poplars, locally called Rusi Phress, continue to dot the roads and landscape of north Kashmir’s area, central Kashmir areas and in some parts of South Kashmir. Sneezing, coughing and complaints of throat irritation and fever have become common these days, with people complaining of anxiety and allergy, hence rendering populace to bear the brunt. Students and older people are compelled to wear masks to prevent allergic infections.
It also causes skin diseases. The name Russian poplar (Russi Phrass) is a misnomer term and has nothing to do with Russia. As the summer season sets on every year, the female poplar called (populous deltoids) bear cotton-like substance and is blown off by winds causing allergy and aggravate respiratory disorders. “The cotton bear by Russian poplars is causing allergies, running nose, eye problems,” said a doctor at Srinagar Hospital.