Srinagar, Mar 22: Amid criticism against chopping down of over two centuries-old poplar trees at Amar Singh College, its management defended the decision saying the aging trees posed risk to students and faculty.
The chopping down of trees in the college premises has stirred emotions among alumni and on-roll students alike as they recall the memories attached to the cherished landmark.
For decades, the poplar trees formed a majestic canopy, creating a picturesque avenue that welcomed thousands of students into the college campus. However, according to college authorities, the decision to chop these trees was based on safety concerns following their deterioration after the devastating floods in 2014.
The alumni of the AS College expressed their emotional attachment with the poplar trees chopped at the college campus. These poplars included Russian poplars as well.
Talking to Greater Kashmir, Principal AS College, Prof. Sheikh Aijaz Bashir said that since his tenure began in the college a few years ago, the issue of the decaying poplars was brought to his notice.
“Several incidents, including trees falling on the rooftop of the adjacently located nursing home and a residential house, highlighted the potential dangers posed by the aging poplar trees. It became a matter of concern as the safety of students and faculty is our priority,” he said.
Typically, a poplar tree has a life span of around 50 years and the poplars on the avenue had already crossed 60 years as the trees were planted in 1965.
The Principal said the process for chopping of these trees was started in 2019, before his joining. “But when I assumed the charge, I approached the Social forestry department and they evaluated these poplar trees. The evaluation revealed that many of the trees had become unsafe and were deemed unfit to remain in the campus,” Prof Bashir told Greater Kashmir.
Consequently, the college administration approached State Forest Corporation, and the poplars were put up for auction, he said.
While the decision to remove the trees has sparked public outcry and sentiments of loss, the principal urged the public to “understand the context.”
“We value our greenery, but the safety of our students and staff is paramount,” he said.
About the criticism, Prof Bashir said that the college administration has scheduled a massive plantation drive on April 3, 2024, where 500 Conifer trees will be planted to replenish the lost greenery.
Meanwhile, the college students expressed mixed feelings over the chopping of poplar trees. A 4th-semester student, expressed his emotional attachment to the avenue while acknowledging the need for development.
“Some of the trees were Russian poplars and if these trees have been cut, the college is planning to plant 500 trees. We all should participate in that,” the student said.
Another student highlighted the practical challenges posed by the aging poplars, citing difficulties in parking and risks to safety.
“Sometimes these trees would fall and cause risk to the safety of the students who would room inside the college campus,” the student said.
The Principal said the community members living in the vicinity of college complained a number of times about the potential threat caused by these aged trees and represented their grievances before the district administration.
“The college also received the communication from Nodal officer Grievance cell under the reference no: DCS/SDM/GRIEV/19/1259-62, dated May 10 of 2019, asking the college administration to take cognisance of a grievance on LG Grievance portal regarding the health-related problems caused by the pollen seeds from the poplars. There were specific instances within the college where the big trees fell in the campus during wind storms after office hours,” he said.
The Principal said these factors forced the College to take this measure. “The second line of plants is already planted from the main gate to the Heritage Building in tree guards installed by the Social Forestry department in 2018-19. The initiative was taken to compensate for the felled trees,” he said.