Gulmarg has been in news for the past few days, unfortunately not for anything good, but for the universally cursed ‘ecological vandalism’ (GK- Nov.7, 9 and 11, 2010). Our recent visit to this world-famous meadow also revealed a vivid degradation of its forests at the hands of none other than our own people. About a fortnight ago, we were on a botanical foray to Gulmarg and its adjacent areas. While examining the gymnosperm (conifer) trees in Gulmarg forests for making herbarium specimens, it was sadly noticed that these trees in general have been considerably deteriorated and dwindled, looking in a very bad shape as compared to our previous observations in these forests about a decade or two ago. Many a trees have been so badly deformed that it is not possible to identify them but from a close distance. “Posthul”/ Himalayan yew (Taxus wallichiana) trees, in particular, have been ruthlessly debarked, lopped and defoliated, as a result of which they are quite depleted, stunted and diseased. This may perhaps be due to the usefulness of this species in yielding ‘taxol’, an anti-cancer drug. Incidentally, this species is now critically endangered and included in Appendix II of CITES (Convention of International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora). The ground cover in these forests shows little of the usual herbaceous flora but more of animal and human excreta, so that walking through them is no more lovable and soothing. While getting into the forest just near Gandola, an uphill road has been constructed on which trucks were seen carrying construction materials. Following this road a little upwards, an enormous complex of concrete buildings has come up in the heart of forest. The structures in this complex are 2-3-storeyed and have been evidently erected after clearing of a large conifer stand. It greatly pained us to notice that many huge conifer trees (comprising fir - Abies pindrow and A. spectabilis, blue pine - Pinus wallichiana, spruce - Picea smithiana, and deodar - Cedrus deodara) around the complex have been irreparably damaged: debarked, lopped, burnt, and de-topped. On enquiring from some (local) people there, we were told that it is a HOTEL which is being constructed by some very rich private business establishment for the last several years, and that it would be the most modern and high-tech hotel in Gulmarg. After much disappointment, we took certain pictures, which depict the sad ultimate fate our forests may meet. I wonder how there can be some private land right amid a dense forest. This needs to be probed into!

(Prof. G. H. Dar teaches at the Department of Botany University of Kashmir, Srinagar.  Feedback at profdar99@gmail.com)

Lastupdate on : Fri, 12 Nov 2010 21:30:00 Makkah time
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