JUBBAL/CHOPAL/KOTKHAI/ROHRU: The lush valleys of Shimla’s apple belt are now gas chambers, thanks to a rampant environmental hazard that’s worsening by the day under the nose of State Pollution Control Board.
Green twigs cut during the pruning of apple trees are being set ablaze across villages in Jubbal, Kotkhai, Rohru, Chopal, and almost entire apple belt, despite clear environmental norms and a standing High Court order to protect the fragile ecology.
The green apple twigs burning has assumed as alarming proportion as one created by the stubble burning in the plains.
The choking smoke from these fires in orchards has enveloped the entire belt for over a week, leaving residents gasping for air and battling health crises.
Pruning is in full swing, and so is this unlawful practice , exposing the complete failure of the State Pollution Control Board and the State Council for Science, Technology, and Environment.
The apple belt of Chajpur, Nandapur in Jubbal valley, Shantha-Dewat, Maroag, Shilli, Shanag, Tharoach, Khaddar, Hambal, Piuntra, Bamta, in Chopal, Spail, Mangalgarh, Chirgaon, Tikkar in Rohru subdivision, several villages including Mahasu, Himri, Khaneti, Ghayal and other areas in Kotkhai, and Theog are bearing the brunt.
The burning of green twigs and leaves has turned the serene apple orchards into suffocating chambers. The air quality has plummeted, drawing grim comparisons to the stubble-burning crisis in Punjab and Haryana, resented residents.
"It’s hell here," fumes Balbir Chajta, a local resident from Chiva in Jubbal. "Smoke hangs heavy over our valleys, making it impossible to breathe for people having respiratory and asthmatic problems".
Neither the panchayats nor the pollution board cares to intervene. Certain orchardists, who have no environmental awareness continue burning green twigs right under their noses, without any fear of penalties."
Residents accuse local authorities, including Nagar Panchayats and sub-divisional officers, of turning a blind eye.
The problem, they say, is spiraling out of control and will only worsen through December as pruning activities intensify.
This unchecked burning isn’t just an environmental nightmare. The constant exposure to smoke is creating severe health hazards, including respiratory issues, especially for children and the elderly.
Residents claim no action has been taken to penalize the violators, leaving them to suffer silently.
It’s high time the government wakes up to this crisis. If immediate steps aren’t taken to curb twig burning, Shimla’s apple belt could face an environmental disaster on par with the most polluted regions of the plains.
