Decayed trees to be axed across Gulmarg, Tangmarg forest areas

Baramulla, May 17: In the wake of a recent incident in which a commuter sustained serious injuries after a dried tree collapsed on him, the Forest Department in Tangmarg has initiated a drive to identify and remove decayed and dried-up trees posing a threat to public safety.

Officials said the move is aimed at preventing accidents, particularly in forest-dominated areas such as Tangmarg and Gulmarg, where strong winds frequently increase the risk of weakened trees falling. A few days ago, a passerby suffered multiple injuries after a dry tree fell on him, triggering concern among residents and prompting the department to take preventive measures.

Divisional Forest Officer (DFO) Tangmarg, Feroz Ahmad, confirmed that the department has already ordered the enumeration of all dried and decayed trees across the area. He said a large portion of Tangmarg and Gulmarg falls within forest jurisdiction, and trees identified as dead or structurally weak inside forest land will be felled by the department to avoid any danger to human life and property. “We have started process of identifying such trees and will soon be axed,” he said. The DFO further stated that in cases where such hazardous trees are located on private property, a detailed list will be prepared and submitted to the Deputy Commissioner Baramulla for further necessary action. The residents of the area have repeatedly raised concerns over the presence of old and decaying trees near roads and residential localities. Locals said that due to frequent winds and storms in the region, the possibility of weakened trees collapsing remains high, posing a constant threat to commuters and residents alike.