As the walnut harvesting season begins across Kashmir, falls from tall and slippery walnut trees have claimed at least four lives of seasonal labourers who depend on the harvest for their livelihood.
One of the deceased was identified as Mohammad Maqbool Bhat, son of Mohammad Ramzan Bhat, a resident of Damjan, Qazigund, who fell from a walnut tree while carrying out harvesting work. Bhat was the lone breadwinner of his family and is survived by two young children.
In another incident, Ghulam Mohammad Ganai, son of Mohammad Khaleel Ganai of Laribal, Tral, died after accidentally falling from a walnut tree while threshing walnuts. He was shifted to SMHS Hospital, Srinagar, where he succumbed to his injuries.
A 35-year-old man, Ashiq Hussain, son of Ghulam Hassan Awan and a resident of Pawadan village in Uri, Baramulla, also died after falling from a walnut tree while thrashing walnuts. He was taken to the Sub-District Hospital, Uri, where doctors declared him brought dead.
Another man died in Puchal village of Pulwama district after falling from a walnut tree. The deceased was identified as Hilal Ahmad Mir a resident of Puchal. He was a father of two children. The incident occurred while Hilal was reportedly working on the walnut tree. He sustained serious injuries in the fall and later succumbed to them.
The incidents have once again brought into focus the occupational hazards associated with walnut harvesting, particularly for workers who climb tall trees without specialised safety equipment.
A 2025 study titled “From Injury to Economic Strain: Assessing the Unseen Costs of Labour Risks in Kashmir’s Walnut Harvesting Industry” examined 150 walnut labourers in Kupwara and Ganderbal and analysed hospital records of 95 workers treated at SKIMS Soura during the harvesting period.
The study, identified falls from heights as the major occupational hazard. It found that workers suffered serious spinal injuries, head trauma and internal-organ damage, including lung injuries and internal bleeding. Among the 95 hospital cases examined, 12 workers were brought dead, while another 13 died within 24 to 72 hours of admission.
The majority of affected workers were aged between 18 and 35 years, the study said.
According to the research, walnut workers generally spend around 7.5 to 8.5 hours a day during the harvesting season and often use long bamboo or wooden sticks while working at considerable heights. The absence of helmets, harnesses, fall-arrest systems and other protective equipment increases the risk.
Rain and slippery conditions further compound the danger, while workers also reported back and joint pain, fatigue and other health problems associated with the physically demanding work.
The study recommended the use of mechanical pruning and harvesting equipment, mandatory safety kits, worker training, health insurance, and compensation for injured workers and the families of those killed in harvesting accidents.
Farmers have also called for greater focus on shorter hybrid walnut varieties that could reduce the need for workers to climb tall trees.
“What also needs careful follow-up is an assessment of the potential of hybrid walnut trees (Juglans). These trees are smaller in size and height, and if their produce rivals that of traditional walnut trees, they could provide a better alternative,” farmers said.
Nazir Ahmad Khatana, a walnut farmer from Nagrass Qazigund, said hybrid walnut plants should be provided to farmers free of cost. “Old trees need to be replaced as many of them have low yields, while decomposed branches also pose a serious risk to workers,” he said.
Walnut trees enjoy special protection under the Jammu and Kashmir Preservation of Specified Trees Act, 1969. Their felling or pruning requires permission from the concerned authorities, a provision aimed at protecting the region’s walnut economy.
Kashmir is one of the country’s major walnut-producing regions. According to departmental data, walnut cultivation covered around 95,601 hectares in Jammu and Kashmir, accounting for over 85 per cent of India’s walnut cultivation area. The Kashmir Valley accounted for around 56,721 hectares.
Anantnag has one of the largest areas under walnut cultivation in Kashmir, with around 16,524 hectares, followed by Budgam with 14,524 hectares and Pulwama with 10,918 hectares.
However, farmers say the sector is facing increasing market pressure from imported walnuts from countries including China, Chile and California.
Haji Bhadur Khan, president of the Fruit Association, said the five per cent GST on walnuts had added to the financial burden on growers.
“The five per cent GST imposed on walnuts has added to the financial burden on growers and made locally produced walnuts less competitive in the market,” Khan said, urging the government to reduce GST on walnuts to zero per cent.
He also expressed concern over the growing influx of cheaper imported walnuts, saying it was adversely affecting the market for locally produced Kashmiri walnuts.
