The gorgeous area of Kashmir, noted for its magnificent scenery and tranquil valleys, is currently battling a lesser-known threat: deadly falls from walnut trees. Although Kashmir is known for its pristine beauty, a more urgent threat has developed. A unique yet terrible circumstance has recently come to light as a number of local residents have lost their life due to the apparently unimportant walnut tree.
Falls are the second leading cause for injury-related death globally. In Kashmir, walnut trees are practically ubiquitous. One of the main causes of serious injuries and the main cause of seasonal mortality in Kashmir is falling from a walnut tree, which is rather tall. Known as the Pride of Kashmir’s Dry Fruit, walnut is one of the main indigenous products of Kashmir. Approximately 2.66 lakh metric tonnes of walnuts are reportedly grown on 89,000 hectares in Jammu and Kashmir, according to official statistics. Almost 98% of the dry fruit produced annually in Kashmir is walnuts. The export price of Kashmiri walnuts is about Rs 120 crore each year. It is exported in the forms of nuts as well as the kernel.
During this season of harvest, Kashmiris are particularly prone to falling from walnut trees. Over time, most of the victims of the decline have been young individuals who also occurred to be the family’s lone bread earners.
Walnut trees are enormous tall trees that may reach heights of 50 to 60 feet, and their bark is incredibly slick. The walnut growers lose their balance when climbing these trees with a long stick in hand to hit the fruit, falling from the tree as a result. Injuries and deaths from falling from walnut trees are increasing throughout the months of harvest in August and September, claiming the lives of many young people. This makes it a seasonal work hazard and places a heavy financial strain on our healthcare system. These unintentional falls have increased the strain on our health system at a time when we are already battling several terrible diseases including cancer etc.
I am a medical student, posted in the CT-Scan section of Government Medical College, Anantnag, every day, we receive at least five patients, who are robust males and have a history of fall from walnut trees due traditional outdated methods employed in our region for harvesting these trees. Cervical spine injuries (27.50%) are the most common injuries reported followed closely by brain contusion (26.43%) and multiple fractures, mainly rib fractures. Many patients have multiple injuries. The mortality rate is about about 50%. 20% of patients are rendered paralysed for life.
I’m aware of eight fatalities and a significant number of injuries in Kashmir during the past three weeks. According to the information that is now accessible, two people, a 60-year-old man from Poonch and Manzoor Ahmad Najar Wani, a resident of Lahvipora Bijhama, died after falling from a walnut tree on September 21. In the Ramban district’s Jamlan Dharam Gool, a middle-aged man was killed on September 10 after he fell from a walnut tree. In his native city of Nowgam, Sonawari district, Bandipora, on September 1, 35-year-old Ali Mohammad Waloo died instantly after falling from a walnut tree. On September 26, Latroo Aishmuqam resident Zaffar Ahmad Dar died unexpectedly after falling from a walnut tree. There are more of the fatalities reported with countless injuries being reported also. It is really heart-breaking to see young lives being lost like this.
The government needs to come up with some suggestions for preventative actions, such as teaching walnut growers about the safety precautions. If farmers had more education and applied more scientific, common sense-based practises, many lives may be spared. Making tree stands that are 30 feet above the ground and wearing non-slip footwear are two examples of such an approach. It is advised to use safety harnesses such head, chest, and abdominal gear. Furthermore, casualties may be reduced if farmers were given nets so that if someone fell, they would land on the net. Experienced and trained individuals should be granted license, and it should be made illegal to climb such big trees without permission. This will dramatically reduce mortality.
Last but not least, a quote by Lois McMaster Bujold: “The dead cannot cry out for justice; it is our duty to do so for them.”
(Author is a Radiodiagnosis student at GMC, Anantnag and a researcher in precision oncology. Email: [email protected])
