Scanty snowfall disappoints Kullu-Manali apple growers

Dipender Manta

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Tribune News Service

Mandi, February 28

Scanty snowfall has disappointed hoteliers and apple orchardists in Kullu-Manali and Mandi district this year. A large tract of land is covered under the apple cultivation in Mandi and Kullu districts, which requires adequate snowfall to maintain moisture in the land and complete chilling hours for better production.

According to orchardists of Kullu and Mandi, this year, they witnessed scanty snowfall. They said it would directly affect the production of apple crop because it requires adequate snowfall.

Rajiv Kimta, an orchardist at Kais Kothi in Kullu, said, “Compared to the previous year, this year, scanty snowfall was witnessed at Kais Kothi. Generally every year, more than 30 cm of snowfall is witnessed in the area at least in two intervals during the winter season, which maintaines moisture in the land. But this time, the climate is quite adverse for apple orchards.”

Nakul Khullar, another orchardist at Raison in Kullu, said, “Scanty snowfall will not only affect the apple crop, it also hit other fruit crops.”

Uttam Prashar, a subject matter specialist of the Horticulture Department in Kullu, said, “It is true that this year, snowfall was scanty for apple orchards in Kullu-Manali. However, the climate was chilly enough as per the requirement of apple orchards. It is expected that it may affect the production of apple crop in lower regions if weather will remain dry for a long time in the coming days.”

Similarly, people associated with the tourism industry here in Kullu-Manali are also disappointed because of scanty snowfall in the region. Adequate snowfall in Kullu-Manali is considered a boon for the tourism industry here as it attracts a large number of tourists here during the summer season. The tourists can enjoy the snow even in the month of July at Rohtang Pass.

Anup Thakur, president of hoteliers’ association of Kullu-Manali, said scanty snowfall had become a cause for concern for the tourism industry because it was a major attraction for tourists here.

He said, “Tourists visit here to enjoy the snow. We request the district administration to allow movement of tourists beyond Gulaba in the coming days depending on weather conditions in the region, so that they can enjoy snow.”