The willow trees of Lahaul valley are drying due to mysterious disease and improper irrigation facilities due to scanty snowfall in winters. Willow trees also known as the lifeline of Lahaul valley of tribal Lahaul-Spiti district as they not only provide fodder to the cattle but also provide fire wood.

Now, the has decided on raising willow species in nurseries including Kashmir willow and planting the same in the forest area. So far, the state government has ensured the planting of 3.40 lakh trees of various species under willow plantation.

He said that based on study and survey now the proper site selection, raising of mixed plantations and planting of good quality seedlings of willow species is being done in Lahaul valley. He said that HFRI under a research project funded by ICFRE is working on development of disease free and disease resistant clonal varieties of willow since 2016 in Lahaul-Spiti district and the same varieties would be available for multiplication within a year.