In South Kashmir’s Pulwama district, where apples and other fruits are cultivated on a large scale, there are thousands of canals in the district where only almonds are cultivated.
The people of these areas are associated with almond cultivation for centuries. But due to the lack of attention to the horticulture department, almond cultivation is on the verge of decline.
Locals from the district said that nobody from the authority is willing to accept the contribution of this industry as a result the almond industry is vanishing from the map of Jammu and Kashmir.
“Wild animals have created havoc, damaged all these almond trees, but nobody cares and comes forward,” said a local from Trichal village of district of Pulwama.
Instead of focusing on this industry, different types of plants are introduced.
The local residents from Newa Parigam, Zaddora, Rehmoo said that wild animals have completely damaged their almond trees. “This land is good for almond cultivation and a little bit of attention from the government can flourish this industry,” said Abdul Gagar.
The locals accused the horticulture department of negligence saying not a single officer visited these villages where the almond industry can flourish. [KNT]