This is with reference to the news item regarding decision of the Legislative Committee on Environment whereby State Forest Department has been directed to introduce the male poplars on a fast track basis from the next year. The decision is as unscientific, hasty and risky, as was the introduction of female poplars about 3 decades ago. I think we are still lax in learning lessons from our previous mistakes. Before we introduce male poplars, it is very important to completely eradicate the female poplar plantations from all over the Valley. Otherwise, the likely production of viable seeds by mating of male and female poplars can lead to their 'cancer-like' colonization of the entire Valley. Such type of problematic exotic species invasions have been well-reported in the scientific literature and are the second greatest threat to the global biodiversity. Also, the fool-proof quarantine of the imported plant material of male poplars and its controlled field trials must be ensured before its mass cultivation. There are substantial scientific evidences which have shown that the exotic plantations can be the source of pest outbreak (insects, fungi) in the natural forests and agricultural crops. Therefore, we must take an ecologically-sound approach to tackle an ecological problem, although there are economic interests are involved.  

Anzar A Khuroo
Assistant Professor
Department of Botany
University of Kashmir

Lastupdate on : Wed, 1 Jun 2011 21:30:00 Makkah time
Lastupdate on : Wed, 1 Jun 2011 18:30:00 GMT
Lastupdate on : Thu, 2 Jun 2011 00:00:00 IST