Srinagar, May 17 -- As the warmth of summer settles over the picturesque Kashmir Valley, an unusual snowfall begins-not of ice, but of cotton-like fluff drifting silently through the air. This "summer snow," in reality, is the seed-laden fluff from female poplar trees. Once welcomed for their economic value, poplars are now becoming a growing health hazard and environmental concern in the valley. The Dual Nature of Poplar TreesPoplar trees, belonging to the genus Populus, are essential to Kashmir's economy. These fast-growing trees-alongside willows-form the backbone of the region's timber, fruit packaging, and construction industries. However, their fluffy white seed carriers have started turning from a symbol of prosperity into a seriou...