This row of white is not clothes hung on a washing line. Rather, it is something that every horticulturist in the Himalayan regions of the country needs today. Photo: Vikas Choudhary/CSE
Climate Change

Anti-hail nets in demand across Himalayas, as climate goes haywire

With apple orchards highly prone to damages by sudden changes in weather, horticulturists are finally having to adapt

Vikas Choudhary

These nets, once considered a luxury across the Himalayas, are now an essential part of every apple farmer’s toolkit.

These are ‘Anti-hail nets’ that shield horticulture crops like apples from sudden and inclement weather like hailstorms.

Weather across the Himalayas is increasingly growing erratic due to the impact of climate change. This is having substantial impacts on farmers and horticulturists in the region, like apple farmers.

Climate change is spurring extreme weather events across the Himalayan region. In such a scenario, farmers have no choice but to adapt.

‘Anti-hail nets’, like these covering apple orchards in Himachal Pradesh, shield crops the vagaries of a changing Himalayan climate. The hills are finally having to adapt as the planet warms.