Orchardists seek compensation

Dipender Manta

Tribune News Service

Mandi, April 26

Apple growers of Mandi, Kullu and tribal district of Lahaul Spiti are at the receiving end as heavy snowfall has caused losses worth crores to the horticulture and agriculture sector.

ANTI-HAIL NETS CAUSE MORE DAMAGE

Apple orchards having anti-hail nets suffered the maximum damage because nets could not bear the weight of the snow deposited on them and gave way. As a result, apple plants were uprooted and branches of plants were broken at many places.

Apple orchards were in full bloom in high altitude areas of these districts. The plants require pleasant weather for better production. But sudden heavy snowfall resulted in drastic dip in temperature, affecting the crop adversely. This will badly hit the apple yield this year.

Data collected from the district administration revealed that the untimely heavy snowfall was, in fact, a disaster to the horticulture and agriculture sectors in these districts. The apple orchards having anti-hail nets suffered the maximum damage because nets could not bear the weight of the snow deposited on them and gave way. As a result, apple plants were uprooted and branches of plants were broken at many places.

In Lahaul & Spiti, the district administration has calculated losses to the tune of Rs 15 crore approximately. The major loss was caused to the greenhouses in the district.

In Kullu district, the district administration has calculated losses of about Rs 20 crore. The major loss to the horticulture sector was witnessed in high altitude areas of Ani, Banjar and Manali areas of Kullu district.

Similarly, in Mandi district, the district administration has calculated losses worth Rs 25 crore approximately where major loss to the apple orchards was noticed in Seraj and Karsog assembly segments.

Deputy Commissioner Kullu Richa Verma and Deputy Commissioner Mandi Rugved Thakur told The Tribune that the losses to the horticulture and agriculture sector in Kullu and Mandi districts were being assessed and the final report will be submitted to the state government for further action.

The affected farmers have demanded a relief package for the losses caused by the untimely heavy snowfall.