Manali: Fresh snow on the higher reaches of Manali and rains on Saturday in the tourist town of Manali and its surrounding areas have posed a threat to the crop of plums , peach and apricot in Manali region.
Majestic Rohtang pass ,the gateway to Lahaul and spiti district and Laddakh region , Marhi and Kothi are reported to have experienced
snowfall. It is pertinent to mention that crop of stone fruit presently is at flowering stage these days in upper Kullu valley. It is learnt that so far pollination is not complete in the crop of plums in Manali region and no bee activity has taken place so far owing to the repeated snow and rains. The snow and rains have also resulted in a considerable decline in the temperature.
Over all present rains and cold weather conditions are not being considered advantageous for the crops of plums,apricot and peach as snow and rains may wash the pollins of the flowers of these stone fruits at any moment resulting in causing a severe jolt to the fruit economy of Manali
region.
Sanjay Dutta, an engineer by qualification but is a journalist by choice.
He has worked for the premier new agency Press Trust of India and leading English daily Indian Express.
With more than a decade of experience, he has been highlighting issues related to environment, tourism and other aspects affecting mountain ecology.
Sanjay Dutta lives in a village close to Manali in Kullu valley of Himachal.
